Every year the American Red Cross, Manatee County Chapter responds to hundreds local disasters, such as house fires (the majority of disaster responses), floods, storm disasters and other natural and human-made emergencies.

Although the American Red Cross is not a government agency, its authority to provide disaster relief was formalized when, in 1905, the Red Cross was chartered by Congress to "carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same." The Charter is not only a grant of power, but also an imposition of duties and obligations to the nation, to disaster victims, and to the people who generously support its work with their donations.

Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs. When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, and health and mental health services to address basic human needs. In addition to these services, the core of Red Cross disaster relief is the assistance given to individuals and families affected by disaster to enable them to resume their normal daily activities independently.

The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims, and helps those affected by disaster to access other available resources.

In addition to responding to disasters locally, Manatee County Red Cross Disaster Volunteers travel across the country to help the affected communities during large national emergencies.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, provided by the generosity of the American public.

If you are a disaster victim in need of assistance, please contact the nearest office of the American Red Cross, Manatee County Chapter. We are here to help.

Phone: (941) 792-8686 Fax:(941)792-3680
Headquarters 2905 59th Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 Phone: (941) 792-8686 Fax:(941)792-3680 ---> Map	Mid-County Service Center 10311 Malachite Drive Bradenton, FL 34202 Phone: (941) 792-8686 Fax:(941)792-3680 ---> Map	Hardee County 401 West Orange Street Wauchula, FL 33873 Phone:(863)773-9097 Fax:(863)773-9390 ---> Map