At least two local organizations are giving away clothing to people who are in dire need because of Hurricane Milton.
Hidden Gem Consignment is offering free clothes and toys for the next few weeks from its four storage units.
“If you look good, you feel good,” owner Jessica Criswell said. “We have so much stuff. We just want to give back. They can pick what they need. Everything is (sorted) in sizes. We have toys. We have home decor, shoes, handbags and accessories. We have tons of stuff.”
On the store’s Facebook page, Criswell requested people text 863-602-0200 to request an appointment where they can select clothing for their family, separated by sizes.
Applicants are asked to provide:
- Names and ages of all household members
- Address where items were damaged
- One photo of damages
“Please do not use this resource unless you are at an absolute lost of clothing so we can ensure enough for everyone that truly has a need,” the Facebook post says.
Criswell will meet the applicants at River of Life Church, 1133 E. Rose St.
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The clothing is gently used and comes from consignors whose items didn’t sell in the store within 60 days. Typically, Criswell would donate the items to domestic violence survivors, foster families or school clothing closets.
The giveaway resulted in part from Criswell’s experience during Hurricane Irma in 2017. A tree fell on her home while her family was inside. They survived but the home had to be rebuilt.
With Hurricane Milton damaging and flooding many homes in north Lakeland, near where the store is located at 3139 N. Galloway Roard, Criswell decided to help Hurricane Milton survivors this time around.
New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1321 N. Webster Ave., will host a cookout on Wednesday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and is inviting the community to attend
During the event, the church will hand out gently used clothing to those in need. The clothes come from the church’s Clothes Closet Ministry, which operates weekly.
Church members will grill and serve hotdogs, chips, baked beans and hamburgers to anyone who stops by. They’re preparing to serve 300 to 500 people at the cookout, the Rev. Edward Quary said
Food distribution locations
- United Way of Central Florida, 5605 U.S. 98 S in Highland City will supply meals ready to eat and water on Monday from 9 a.m. until they run out.
- Walker Road Park, 1035 Walker Road, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice. Meals ready to eat and water are available. Use detour: Knights Station Road to North. Galloway Road to Swindell Road.
- Bonnet Springs Park front gate, Tuesday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., distributing water and meals ready to eat while supplies last.
- The Dream Center, 635 W. 5th St., Tuesday, 4:30-6:30 p.m. This food distribution is open to anyone and typically includes meat, produce, dairy, and bread. A short registration form is required.
- St. Joseph Catholic Church, 210 W. Lemon St., Tuesday, 9-11 a.m. Typically requires participants to bring a driver’s license and proof of address
Shelter
For people displaced by Hurricane Milton, a government-operated shelter is still open in the Amazon Fulfillment Center at 640 C Fred Jones Blvd. in Auburndale.
Anyone needing assistance can call the Polk County Emergency Management Citizens Assistance line at (863) 298-7500 from 7 am to 7 p.m.
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