City launches ‘We Are St. Pete Fund’ for hurricane recovery

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destructive path, the City of St. Petersburg announced Wednesday the creation of the We Are St. Pete Fund.

The fund was created in partnership with Pinellas Community Foundation to provide direct financial assistance to St. Petersburg residents, small businesses and city employees. The City launched the fund with a $200,000 contribution, noting that the first $100,000 will cover administrative costs to ensure that 100% of subsequent donations go directly to support those impacted by the storm.

“Many of our St. Pete residents and small businesses are facing devastation after Hurricane Helene – now is the time to come together as a community,” said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch in a prepared statement. “The We Are St. Pete Fund will have a direct impact on our community by addressing immediate recovery needs and laying the groundwork for longer-term efforts that will prepare us for future disasters. I encourage those who can to give; every contribution will help us rebuild.”

Fire rescue personnel paddled to reach flood victims. Photo: City of St. Petersburg.

The We Are St. Pete Fund has already received pledges of $100,000 each from The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Rays and Neptune Flood Insurance President & CEO Trevor Burgess, and his husband Gary Hess.

Hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 4 storm, caused widespread destruction across the southern United States, with St. Petersburg among the hardest-hit areas. The city experienced storm surges exceeding six feet, more than 100 miles of flooded roads, and severe damage to homes, businesses and critical infrastructure.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday afternoon that Hurricane Helene’s local death toll increased to 12 fatalities. Three occurred in Indian Rocks Beach, two in St. Pete Beach, two in Treasure Island and one each in Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Madeira Beach, St. Petersburg and Redington Shores.

“While some of us weathered the storm unscathed, countless neighbors, friends, and fellow community members did not. Our community’s health is deeply tied to the ability of all our impacted residents to recover, including those who are most vulnerable,” said Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg President and CEO Dr. Kanika Tomalin. “So many people are looking for ways to help right now. The We Are St. Pete Fund gives us an avenue to support our hardest-hit residents and make our community healthier and more resilient for the future.”

Pinellas Community Foundation (PCF) is the fiscal agent that will collect, manage and steward the We Are St. Pete Fund. The City will help manage the eligibility process, providing data to ensure funds go directly to those who need it most.

More information about the fund’s use and how to donate is available online here. According to PCF’s website, the funding will be used to directly support relief efforts including:

• Emergency food, water, shelter, and other basic needs
• Necessary services to vulnerable and at-risk populations
• Transportation
• Filling gaps not met by federal and local government relief funding

“It’s critical that we support our city’s residents and small businesses in the wake of Hurricane Helene,” said Tomalin. “We’re grateful to be able to meaningfully contribute to recovery efforts through the fund and help make our city more resilient for the future. Our city’s resilience is key to our community’s health.”

PCF’s website notes that the We Are St. Pete fund is currently in the donation-seeking phase, with no word yet on when the fund will open for financial assistance applications or begin disbursements.

Additional information and recovery resources are available on the City’s website at wearestpete.org.

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