Want to help out with Hurricane Irma relief efforts but aren't sure how?
Here's a pretty easy way.
Goodwill Industries-Suncoast is setting up shop in a familiar spot — assuming you're one of the thousands of people who plan on attending various events at Tampa's Amalie Arena this week.
The nonprofit will be collecting new or gently-used items, including shoes, clothing and housewares as well as cash donations on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at various events taking place at the venue, from sporting events to a talk by a conservative political pundit.
On Tuesday, Lightning fans headed to the preseason game vs. the Carolina Hurricanes can bring donations; so can those headed to Friday's match against the Nashville Predators or Sunday's with the Florida Panthers.
Those headed to see Mumford & Sons on Wednesday, or even The Spin Stops Here Tour on Saturday (that's the Bill O'Reilly thing) can also bring their items/cash.
For those who want to make cash donations, Amalie officials say they can do so near Section 101 at the guest services kiosk. Those who don't plan on attending any events at the arena but still want to help out can contribute here.
Although Hurricane Irma left the Tampa Bay area relatively unscathed, other parts of the Southeast and the Caribbean are dealing with extensive property damage as well as some loss of life.
In Florida, at least 34 people have died as a result of the hurricane, a number that may increase during the ensuing days.
The storm also has an as-yet untold economic toll, one with a lower end that initial estimates suggest to be well into the tens of billions of dollars, not counting job loss, health care costs and other expenses that might not be immediately apparent.
Currently, Hurricane Maria is threatening some Caribbean islands, though unlike Irma, forecasting so far does not place Florida in its direct path.
