TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — As search and rescue efforts continue across Venezuela following the devastating earthquakes that struck several parts of the country, the Venezuelan community in the Tampa Bay area is turning heartbreak into action.

Throughout the day, dozens of people arrived at donation centers across Pinellas and Hillsborough counties carrying boxes of medical supplies, food, hygiene products, and other essential items. Some are still waiting to hear from loved ones in the affected areas. Others simply want to do whatever they can to help.

“My heart is broken. My heart isn’t here—it’s back home,” said María Gabriela Vargas González as she dropped off donations at Arepas Maíta, one of several local businesses that quickly transformed into collection sites.

Like many Venezuelans living in the United States, Vargas says being far away brings a sense of helplessness. While they cannot participate in rescue operations, they believe every donated item can make a difference for families struggling to survive.

That feeling is shared by Gustavo Torres, who says six members of his family in La Guaira remain unreachable.

“I haven’t slept. My mind is back home,” he said while volunteering to organize donations.

Businesses become relief centers

For Paola Bordón, owner of Arepas Maíta, serving food became secondary the moment she saw the scale of the disaster.

“Right now, I don’t care about the money,” she said. “What matters is what’s happening in Venezuela because I still have family there.”

The response from the community has been overwhelming. Volunteers say the next major challenge will be transporting the growing number of donations to those who need them most.

They are now asking shipping companies, nonprofit organizations, and humanitarian partners to help make that possible.

Even the youngest volunteers are stepping up

The relief effort has become a family affair.

Nine-year-old Shannon Rodríguez spent hours helping sort bandages, pain relievers, first-aid supplies, and other medical donations.

Her work reflected the spirit seen throughout the collection site, where children and adults stood side by side with one goal: helping Venezuela.

Rescue teams preparing to deploy

The response extends beyond collecting donations.

In Hillsborough County, the nonprofit rescue organization Boricuas de Corazón has begun gathering emergency supplies while preparing a specialized rescue team that hopes to deploy to Venezuela.

Executive Director Linda Pérez says disaster responders know firsthand the suffering they are likely to encounter, but believes this is a moment when compassion must come before politics.

“Today, the people of Venezuela need us,” she said. “They don’t need politics, they don’t need divisions—they need people willing to help.”

More donation centers continue to open

As the humanitarian response grows, additional collection sites are opening throughout the Tampa Bay area.

As the hours pass, more donation collection sites continue to open across the Tampa Bay area.

Here is the current list of locations where you can drop off donations:

Boricuas de Corazón – 5120 Kelly Rd., Tampa, FL 33615

Arepas Maíta Clearwater – 1701 Drew St., Unit 8, Clearwater, FL 33755

Arepas Maíta Tampa – 3701 N. Central Ave., Tampa, FL 33603

Venezuela To Go – 1412 W. Waters Ave., Suite 105, Tampa, FL 33604

Pabellón Restaurant – 7530 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, FL 33615

Stay in Step – 13085 N. Telecom Pkwy., Temple Terrace, FL 33637

Matcon Construction – 3023 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33603

Manco Space Lutz – 2831 Allegra Way, Lutz, FL 33559

Manco Space Wesley Chapel – 30740 CR 54, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

Madrinas Insurance Tampa – 7901 N. Armenia Ave., Suites C & D, Tampa, FL 33604

Floor Center of Tampa Bay – 5107 W. Idlewild Ave., Tampa, FL 33634

This list will continue to be updated as additional collection sites join the relief effort for earthquake victims in Venezuela.

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