2012 Superstorm Sandy

Recognizing the immediate and longer-term challenges facing so many — especially vulnerable seniors — AARP Foundation responded with the creation of a Superstorm Sandy Relief Fund. Through the generous support from AARP members, donors and a matching gift from AARP, AARP Foundation and its affiliates, the Foundation distributed $1.5 million to organizations working in communities impacted by the storm — many of them dedicated to serving the needs of older adults.

Grants were given to national and local organizations in: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. The majority of support was directed to organizations in New Jersey and New York — two of the hardest hit states. These funds helped relief and recovery in the days, weeks and months after the storm.  

AARP Foundation selected organizations to receive grants in order to provide a range of services including: clean-up assistance, meals, legal assistance, and bringing benefits specialists to hard-hit communities to screen clients for public assistance eligibility. The following provides a list of organizations that received a grant from the AARP Foundation Superstorm Sandy Relief Fund. 

Connecticut
Community Dining Room
Connecticut Food Bank
Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc., Stamford
Salvation Army of Connecticut
St. Stephens’ Food Pantry, Bridgeport
Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut
United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund

Delaware
American Red Cross– Delmarva Region

Maryland   
Food Research and Action Center, Inc.
Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc.
Maintaining Active Citizens (MAC), Area Agency on Aging

Pennsylvania
Stroudsburg Rotary Foundation
World Vision

Rhode Island
Salvation Army, Providence Corps
Serve Rhode Island

New York
Asian American Federation
Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens
City Harvest
City Meals on Wheels
Council of Senior Centers and Services
Food Bank for New York City
Health & Welfare Council of Long Island
Hispanic Federation
Legal Services for New York City
Make the Road New York
Medicare Rights Center
Met Council on Poverty
NAACP of New York
Nassau/Suffolk Law Services
New York City Police Foundation
New York Fire Fighters Disaster Relief Fund, Inc.
Senior Housing Resource Corp.
Urban League of New York City
Volunteers of Legal Services

National
American Red Cross
Feeding America
Meals on Wheels Association of America

New Jersey
Catholic Charities - Trenton Diocese
Community Food Bank of New Jersey
Northeast New Jersey Legal Services
Ocean-Monmouth Legal Services
Salvation Army of New Jersey
South Jersey Legal Services
The New Jersey Police Chiefs Foundation
Toms River Police Foundation

Find out more how AARP Foundation provides disaster relief and supports seniors recovering from hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters.