Florida Lantern Project · Tampa Bay
No family should face disaster alone
We are what happens when the standard answer doesn’t fit your situation.
Family first
Community-led
Red tape free
Transparent
Innovative
Rapid relief.
Real impact.
Rooted in community.
The Florida Lantern Project began in 2015 as a holiday light show in a South Tampa front yard. It drew more than 20,000 neighbors and raised around $50,000 for local charities.
When Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit in 2024, we redirected the same community relationships, equipment, and hands-on approach toward disaster relief. Today, we help Florida families navigate the situations that do not always fit neatly into existing systems: finding somewhere safe that accepts pets, documenting storm damage, staying connected, and understanding what assistance may be available.
Our story
What we do
Before, during and after a storm
Our help is organized around when you need it.
Before
Get ready
Make a plan before you need it: when to leave, where to go, what to do with your pets, and what you should document before a storm.
Before a storm
During
Get out safely
Evacuation help, finding somewhere that takes the whole family—including pets—and a storm line answered by a person.
During a storm
After
Get back on your feet
Drone damage documentation, wellness checks, cleanup, and help navigating FEMA, SBA, and insurance paperwork.
After a storm
Why FLP
When the standard answer doesn’t fit
Disaster assistance is often designed around a typical situation. Real families are rarely that simple.
Shelters turn away pets
We plan for the whole family
Pets are one of the most common reasons families hesitate to evacuate. We help look for options that can accommodate everyone.
Damage needs to be documented quickly
We document what happened
An FAA-certified remote pilot can survey roof and property damage and provide a written report that you can keep with your records.
Aid goes unmentioned
We help you understand your options
SBA disaster loans are available to eligible homeowners and renters, not only businesses. We can help you understand FEMA, SBA, and other programs and work through the paperwork.
The record
What we did in 2024
Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit Florida 13 days apart. FLP had no staff and a $0 operating budget. The response was made possible through volunteers, existing relationships, donated resources, and partners willing to help.
50+
individuals and families assisted
Helene and Milton, 2024
20+
placed in emergency lodging
in the days before Milton
$0
operating budget that year
delivered through partnerships
20,000+
neighbors at the light show
~$50,000 raised for local charities
“My cat and I have only been able to safely make it through Hurricane Milton because of the help given to us by this organization.”
Peter, Hurricane Milton, 2024
See our full response
Why we exist
No family faces disaster alone
Mission
Bring light in times of disaster
To bring light to communities in times of disaster by providing innovative, immediate, and family-centered relief, critical resources, and community-driven support.
Vision
Help that arrives when it’s needed
A Florida where no family faces disaster alone. Through decisive action, we ensure aid reaches those who need it, when they need it, no matter the obstacles.
Transparency and financials
Stand with us
Readiness starts before a storm
Most donations arrive after a disaster. But some of the most important expenses happen before landfall: keeping the storm line available, maintaining equipment, and having enough flexibility to help when a family calls.
Even $10 a month helps us stay ready.