ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The nonprofit I Care St. Pete will host a drive-thru hurricane supply giveaway event at their Southside headquarters later this month for residents.

What You Need To Know

  • I Care St. Pete will host a drive-thru hurricane supply giveaway on May 24

  • The nonprofit has enough supplies for 500 residents

  • The drive-thru event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the organization’s headquarters at 2330 Dr. MLK Jr. St. S. in St. Petersburg

  • All of the supplies were donated by Pinellas County, Farm Share and Direct Relief

“We just want to encourage people to be prepared, not be panicked,” said co-founder Kulmalee Alvelo. “We already experienced this.”

The supplies are nearly stacked to the ceiling at the organization’s headquarters at 2330 Dr. MLK Jr. St. S. in St. Petersburg where the drive-thru event will take place. Alvelo said they have enough for 500 residents.

“Thank God that we’re able to have all the supply,” she said. “To be able to provide for the people in the South.”

Those supplies include tarps, mops, mold spray, bug spray, dry food, sand bags, cleaning supplies, gloves, boots, fresh food and more. All the items will be handed out for free on May 24.

“This is the South and people here need help. People here, they are friendly, family orientated. They care about the community,” said co-founder Jose Alvelo. “We live here too, and we care what’s going on here. And that’s what we call ourselves I Care.”

The Alvelos founded I Care St. Pete about three years ago to change lives through charitable health care and other vital services. Kulmalee said after last year’s hurricanes, the organization became a vital source of supplies for residents with a car line that stretched for a half-mile after Milton.

“When we hand out a supply, some families just break out in tears,” she said. “You can tell the way they look, they are traumatized.” 

Kulmalee said the non-profit was doing such a good job that the National Guard gave them more supplies to give away. Volunteers distributed more than 1,000 tarps.

As the 2025 hurricane season is about to begin in two weeks, Kulmalee wants to make sure her community is prepared.

“Know what to do, where to go,” she said. “I want to educate people more about when they tell you to move, you leave.”

All of the supplies were donated by Pinellas County, Farm Share and Direct Relief, according to the Alvelos. The I Care St. Pete hurricane supply drive-thru event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 24.