COCONUT CREEK, Fla. — South Florida-based Food For The Poor, a nonprofit founded in 1982, had a team of volunteers working to help the victims of Wednesday’s two earthquakes in Venezuela.

At a workshop on Friday morning in Broward County, volunteers said they were working to pack hundreds of “disaster relief kits” that included “hopeful” handwritten notes.

Cesar Guevara, the FFTP’s director of strategic partnerships, said the nonprofit had relationships with Venezuelan non-governmental organizations “that are going to be distributing our donations.”

“Venezuela was in a state of emergency prior to the crisis,” Guevara said. “The hospitals are collapsed. There are no medical supplies. People have to bring their own stuff when they have a medical emergency.”

Guevara said his team was preparing for a long-term effort with the community’s support and asked the public for cash donations to support it.

“We’re opening the channels for us to send containers,” Guevara said.

The organization was also accepting drop-off donations of nonperishable food and hygiene products at the warehouse at 6401 Lyons Road in Coconut Creek.

For more information about how to support the efforts and make a donation, visit this page.

More HELPING VENEZUELA coverage