Ways to Help: Immokalee Florida

One of the areas in our region hardest hit from Hurricane Irma was Immokalee, Florida. Thousands of migrant farmworkers live in Immokalee. Their already poor living conditions were damaged even further by the high winds and flooding that knocked out power and damaged homes.

The community was hit hard, but they are resilient. The people that work in the Peace River Presbytery operate a mission in the community. The Mission workers say that there are four areas of need for the community.

1)   Sustainable goods-Food, hygiene products and diapers

2)   Power! They are trying to obtain generators to run freezers and refrigerators

3)   The long-term goal is to develop a Community Garden. Behind the Mission, there is room to plant a garden. The workers here pick pounds of fresh vegetables, and know how to farm the land-but they didn’t’ have a plot to grow their own vegetables!

4)   The fourth need is for long-term housing. Many of the trailers were damaged in Hurricane Irma. Some families even share trailers, and they are charged rent on a weekly or a monthly basis.

One of the members of the Presbyterian Hunger Program who has worked with the people of Immokalee reports that despite their problems and needs both short and long term, there is patience and “gratefulness that people care.”

For more information about ways to help, please go to this link: PDA: Immokalee or contact us at Palma Ceia at marylee@palmaceia.org for more information.