Update on Our Hurricane Response

Our small and mighty team is working through more than 3,000 applications for both Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The processing time for applications may range from 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the date of your application—cases are processed in the order in which they were received. You must apply online for assistance. Applications for both Helene and Milton will close on November 25.

If you applied for assistance unrelated to a disaster, we are working as quickly as possible to process your case. Please reach out to your case manager directly or casemanagement@southernsmoke.org for any updates. We appreciate your patience during this challenging time. We are committed to serving you as soon as possible and look forward to the opportunity to assist you.

We are so grateful for the outpouring of support, and thanks to generous donors, to date we have granted $528,600 to 367 F+B workers affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton with more than 3,000 applications in process.

Leighann Bakunas

Secretary

LeighAnn Bakunas is the Director of Food, Beverage, and Music for YETI where she currently leads and manages the marketing efforts to drive awareness, affinity, and advocacy for the brand and products within these communities globally. She has over 15 years of professional experience in the marketing realm. Prior to YETI, LeighAnn was the Special Events Director of Texas Monthly where she oversaw the events division and marketing and promotional efforts for Texas Monthly’s TMBBQ brand and Texas Monthly advertisers. She graduated from Texas State University – San Marcos with a BBA in Marketing and is on the Leadership Council for the Andy Roddick Foundation and a member of the Les Dames d’Escoffier Austin Chapter.