Hurricane Emergency Kits Make a Difference for Local Seniors

Every year Ric Ortisi puts his ducks in a row before hurricane season. By June, he had a stockpile of canned goods and bottled water, but not some other emergency supplies recommended by FEMA. When he got an automated phone call from the Senior Center telling him he was eligible to receive a Hurricane Emergency Kit, he called right away to reserve his. The kits were put together for area low-income seniors 55 and up by the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation.

“The radio will come in handy,” Ric said, recalling how he lived six days without power after Hurricane Irma. The hand crank/solar radios feature AM/FM and weather bands, a flashlight and cell phone charger. Also included in were a first aid kit, a plastic box for storing important papers and medicines, and many other useful items. Duffle bags were also included to store the emergency supplies and keep them ready to go in case of an evacuation order.

“I’ll keep it handy right by the door in case I have to run out on short notice,” Ric said. “It’s good that the Foundation is doing this for the Seniors.”

Low-income area seniors ages 55 and up were identified by Senior Center staff and notified via an automated phone call that they qualified to receive a kit. They were advised to call the Center to reserve their kit and pick it up at a specified time. When this distribution was completed on August 6, the remaining available kits will be offered to other area 55+ seniors who meet the income criteria.

The emergency kits were funded by a $5,000 grant from Senior Citizen Services of the Pinellas Community Foundation.