LAKELAND, Fla. — Several nonprofits in Polk County now have the funding they need to continue hurricane relief efforts.

What You Need To Know

  • United Way of Central Florida and GiveWell Community Foundation provided $80,000 in grants to 11 nonprofits

  • One of the grant recipients is One More Child, Christian-centered organization

  • With the additional funding, One More Child can help the community well into the holiday season

After surveying the most pressing post-hurricane needs, United Way of Central Florida and GiveWell Community Foundation provided $80,000 in grants to 11 nonprofit organizations. One of the organizations is One More Child.

Public Relations Director Joe McLeod said the Christian-centered nonprofit started as an orphanage in the early 1900s. Now, it provides essentials to more than 200,000 people globally. This year, many of them are grappling with the impacts of hurricanes Milton and Helene. 

“It’s just devastating to see what people have gone through, just the loss,” McLeod said. “And to be able to see needs and come alongside people and provide tangible resources — food, water, diapers, cleaning supplies and many other essential items — it feels good to be able to do that.”

Katherine Fitzwater, with United Way of Central Florida, said this is why One More Child received funding through the United Community Relief Fund. She said the grants will ensure that they, along with other organizations, can continue supporting recovery efforts.

“We’re happy to be able to help them continue their work, but also expand their work to meet the immediate needs after the storm,” Fitzwater said.

Since Helene, McLeod said the nonprofit has distributed 303,000 diapers, served 11,000 people and provided 5 million meals so far. Now with additional funding, he says they can help the community well into the holiday season.

“When we’re able to give several packs of diapers, wipes and other supplies and see their reaction to it, it just means the world,” he said — not only for those who work at the Compassion Center, but for the families who stop by as well.

The other 10 organizations are Anchor House Ministries, Bartow Church Service Center, Central Florida Health Care, Combee Connection Ministries, Dream Center of Lakeland, Hardee Help Center, Help of Fort Meade, kidsPACK, Mulberry Community Service and The Freedom Tour.