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    • Hurricane Resources

    Hurricane season begins on June 1 each year and Florida is seldom spared. We want our staff, faculty, and students to be prepared should a storm make its way through our tri-county region. This list of resources can be used for support within our area in preparation for severe weather or after a storm. 

    If a storm is expected, information concerning SFSC operations will be available through email, Daily Connection, social media, southflorida.edu, and the emergency text messaging system. 

    To ensure you receive emergency text messages, you can text SUBSCRIBE SFSC to 23177.

    There is also a list of resources available for all SFSC students. This list includes Pete’s Pantry, the Tutoring and Learning Center, and more. 

    The following services are available to residents of SFSC’s service district of DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands counties:

    Organization Assistance Contact
    Central Florida Health Care Medical, dental, and support services 866-234-8534
    Crisis Clean-Up Clear debris and damage from homes 800-451-1954
    DeSoto Operation Blue Roof  Temporary roof repairs 888-ROOF-BLU
    Disaster Assistance Apply for disaster relief  
    Disaster Distress Helpline Emotional support for those impacted by hurricanes 800-985-5990
    Disaster Legal Services Free legal help for low-income disaster survivors 866-550-2929
    Division of Consumer Services Answer insurance questions 877-693-5236 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
    Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Receive information, apply for funding, have your FEMA letter explained, temporary housing  800-621-3362 (open 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.)
    Florida Department of Children and Families Food/grocery and mental health assistance and Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) 850-300-4323
    Hardee Help Center Food/grocery 863-773-0034
    Heartland Coalition for the Homeless Planning and coordination of homeless services 863-453-8901
    Salvation Army Foodbank, utility assistance, referrals from Red Cross, and clothing for job interviews – can get a voucher for the thrift store 863-385-7548
    Shelter Listings Shelters available in each city N/A
    United Way of Central Florida A network of services Call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211

    Food Pantries

    Highlands County 

    • Church of the Nazarene of Sebring – 420 S. Pine Street, Sebring, FL, 863-385-0400 
    • Church Service Center – 198 Rowe Street, Avon Park, FL, 863-452-6464
      • Tuesday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-noon
    • Community Bible Church – 1400 CR 17A North, Avon Park, FL, 863-452-5643 
    • Manna Ministries – 416 Kent Avenue, Lake Placid, FL, 863-699-0093 
    • Parkway Food Ministries – 3413 Sebring Parkway, Sebring, FL, 863-382-3552
      • Faith Missionary Baptist Church, 1702 Lagrange Ave., Sebring, FL
      • Second and fourth Fridays of the month at noon
    • Ridge Area 7th Day Adventist Church – 30 Alice Nelson Street, Avon Park, FL, 863-452-5514 
    • Salvation Army – 3135 Kenilworth Blvd., Sebring, FL, 863-385-7548
      • Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
    • Walker memorial Seventh-day Adventist Community Center – 2345 Lake Lillian Drive, Avon Park, FL, 863-453-0177 

    Mobile Food Pantry Schedule 

    • Avon Park – Union Church 106 N. Butler Ave, 10:30 a.m., every first and third Thursday
    • Sebring – South Oak Church 125 S. Oak Ave, 9 a.m., every second and fourth Thursday
    • Lake Placid – First United Methodist Church of Sebring, 126 S. Pine St., every first and third Saturday

    Disaster Recovery Centers

    DeSoto County

    DeSoto Library, 125 N. Hillsborough Ave., Arcadia, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

    Hardee County

    Wauchula Civic Center, 515 Civic Center Dr., Wauchula, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

    Highlands County

    Bert J. Harris Jr. Agricultural Center, 4509 George Blvd., Sebring, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    At a Disaster Recovery Center, you can:

    • Learn about disaster assistance programs
    • Apply for disaster assistance
    • Check the status of your FEMA application
    • Get help understanding FEMA notices or letters
    • Find lodging and rental assistance information
    • Get referrals to agencies that offer other assistance
    • Meet with a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representative
    • Meet with state agency representatives

    Other Assistance

    Business Damage Assessment – Businesses are encouraged to complete the Business Damage Assessment Survey: floridadisaster.biz/BusinessDamageAssessments. Responses will allow the state to expedite hurricane recovery efforts. 

    Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of a hurricane. For DUA claims information, call 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759) to speak with a representative. The deadline to submit a claim for DUA benefits is TBD.

    Economic Injury Disaster Loans – For small businesses or private nonprofit organizations that sustained economic injury and are located in a disaster-declared county or contiguous county. 

    FEMA – For all forms of disaster assistance, register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.

    The Florida Highway Patrol has deployed Florida Licenses on Wheels to provide driver’s licenses, vehicle tags,
    and title replacements. This service is located at the Hertz Arena in Fort Myers and is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

    Helping Children Cope with Disaster – To request these free informative booklets, email femapubs@gpo.gov. 

    SBA Disaster Loans – Disaster loans for businesses of all sizes located in declared disaster areas, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters affected by declared disasters.


    Here is a list of possible scams that may target hurricane survivors:

    • Disaster survivors should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses, and Social Security numbers they have stolen from survivors
    • If a FEMA inspector comes to your home and you have not filed a FEMA application, your information may have been used without your knowledge. Tell the inspector you did not apply for FEMA assistance.
    • If you did not apply for assistance but received a letter from FEMA, please call the helpline at 800-621-3362 any day between 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.
    • FEMA will only reach out if you have already applied for assistance. If you are contacted by someone asking you to apply for FEMA assistance or if you question someone’s intent, contact your local law enforcement agency.
    • Be cautious if somebody asks for your nine-digit application number. A FEMA inspector will not ask for this. They already have it in their records and may provide it to you to confirm they are interacting with the correct person.
    • FEMA inspectors never ask for or confirm banking information.
    • Ask the inspector to show you their identification badge. Federal and contracted employees always wear an official government badge to identify themselves.
    • Don’t trust someone who asks for money. Federal and local disaster workers do not solicit or accept money. FEMA and staff from the Small Business Administration never charge for inspections or help in filling out a disaster assistance application.
    • Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant and asks for large cash deposits or advance payments in full.
    • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has information on how rental scams work. For instance, scammers know finding the right apartment or vacation rental can be hard work, and a seemingly good deal is hard to pass up when you need a place to stay. Learn more at consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0079-rental-listing-scams.

    To Donate

    The SFSC Foundation is collecting donations to assist students and employees who have been affected by recent hurricanes. To donate, please visit Donate Now and follow the instructions depending on how you would like to contribute. 

    The Florida Disaster Fund has raised nearly $35 million since its activation. You can contribute to the Florida Disaster Fund online or by texting DISASTER to 20222.

    Floridians who want to volunteer can visit Volunteer Florida’s webpage.

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