Hurricane Florence has impacted the lives of many residents of the Carolinas. The storms and flooding has been devastating and terrifying for everyone living in that area. Being out here in the Midwest, I feel privileged having avoided this storm entirely.

However, I think there is so much people even all the way out here can do to help those affected by Hurricane Florence. For instance, Goodwill gets thousands of donations of items in great condition each year. In 2017 alone, Goodwill received 3 billion pounds of clothing. If they could give half of that to shelters or to those who need clothes in the Carolinas, it could make those who have underwent this natural disaster find comfort within the storm.

But Goodwill doesn’t just receive clothes. My family has donated blankets, cups, plates and other household items like those. I understand it would take a lot to transport those items to the devastated area, but I thoroughly believe the effort will be worth it. We as a country need to help the victims of Hurricane Florence get back on their feet and work toward getting back to normal life.

Along with that, America has so much food waste. Americans waste 150,000 pounds of food each day, roughly one pound per person. If Americans were to cut back on the food they waste and find a way to get some of that to shelters in the Carolinas, you could feed families in need. Hunger is already a problem in some American families. If everyone would cut back on their waste, that might help a lot of those who are going hungry.

Saying that, many organizations around the United States are doing their best to try and help the victims of Hurricane Florence.

For instance, Goodwill has made an effort to help hurricane victims, such as those from Hurricane Irma. Along with Goodwill, the Red Cross has set up a donation page to raise money and help Hurricane Florence victims. There are many other organizations that are trying to raise money to help those in the Carolinas.

Yet, no matter how much others try to help the victims of this hurricane, they will still have lost their homes and have gone through a violent, terrible storm. Yes, donating and getting help to them will make the aftermath feel less horrible. But there is no turning back time and undoing what has been done.