As aid continues to arrive in Venezuela following the recent earthquakes, people in South Florida are stepping up to help from home.Across the region, donation drives are collecting baby formula, medical supplies, nonperishable food and other essentials for families affected by the disaster.More than 1,400 people were killed, and thousands more were injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela last Wednesday. According to reports, the country was first hit by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake, followed seconds later by a 7.5-magnitude quake.Since then, search-and-rescue teams from across South Florida have joined recovery efforts, including several responders from Palm Beach County fire departments.Back in Palm Beach County, local businesses and community groups are doing what they can to support those impacted from more than 1,000 miles away.At Florida Dream Mortgage, Janine Alvarez is working with the We Love and GEM foundations to collect donations, including baby items, medical necessities and shelf-stable food.”After Wednesday’s news, I mean, it was devastating,” Alvarez said. “I have a lot of family there and friends, dear friends.”Alvarez said many donation efforts are centered in Miami, but she wanted to create another way for people in Palm Beach County to contribute.”We tried in Palm Beach County to do something so that we can help them, a little bit of help,” she said.In southern Palm Beach County, Dona Arepa is also collecting supplies to send to Venezuelan communities.”I was heartbroken,” Mariana Espinosa said. “Venezuelan people have been going through a lot the last couple of years. I felt really sad, and my parents and I just wanted to help them.”Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsFor many involved, the effort is about more than sending supplies. Organizers said they also want people in Venezuela to know they are not alone as recovery continues.”Especially with natural disasters like that, it means there’s good people out there that are willing to help all of those that need us,” Espinosa said.With a strong Venezuelan community in South Florida, many said the disaster feels especially personal.”It’s just the beginning,” Alvarez said. “There’s a lot of work to be done.”Florida Dream Mortgage will continue collecting donations until Thursday at 6 p.m. Donation drop-off information below: Florida Dream Mortgage LLC, 7428 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FLMonday, June 29 to Thursday, July 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —

As aid continues to arrive in Venezuela following the recent earthquakes, people in South Florida are stepping up to help from home.

Across the region, donation drives are collecting baby formula, medical supplies, nonperishable food and other essentials for families affected by the disaster.

More than 1,400 people were killed, and thousands more were injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela last Wednesday. According to reports, the country was first hit by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake, followed seconds later by a 7.5-magnitude quake.

Since then, search-and-rescue teams from across South Florida have joined recovery efforts, including several responders from Palm Beach County fire departments.

Back in Palm Beach County, local businesses and community groups are doing what they can to support those impacted from more than 1,000 miles away.

At Florida Dream Mortgage, Janine Alvarez is working with the We Love and GEM foundations to collect donations, including baby items, medical necessities and shelf-stable food.

“After Wednesday’s news, I mean, it was devastating,” Alvarez said. “I have a lot of family there and friends, dear friends.”

Alvarez said many donation efforts are centered in Miami, but she wanted to create another way for people in Palm Beach County to contribute.

“We tried in Palm Beach County to do something so that we can help them, a little bit of help,” she said.

In southern Palm Beach County, Dona Arepa is also collecting supplies to send to Venezuelan communities.

“I was heartbroken,” Mariana Espinosa said. “Venezuelan people have been going through a lot the last couple of years. I felt really sad, and my parents and I just wanted to help them.”

Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News

For many involved, the effort is about more than sending supplies. Organizers said they also want people in Venezuela to know they are not alone as recovery continues.

“Especially with natural disasters like that, it means there’s good people out there that are willing to help all of those that need us,” Espinosa said.

With a strong Venezuelan community in South Florida, many said the disaster feels especially personal.

“It’s just the beginning,” Alvarez said. “There’s a lot of work to be done.”

Florida Dream Mortgage will continue collecting donations until Thursday at 6 p.m.

Donation drop-off information below:

Florida Dream Mortgage LLC, 7428 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL

Monday, June 29 to Thursday, July 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.