As Jamaica struggles to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, people in Tampa Bay are stepping up to help families on the island rebuild their lives.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 storm, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in history. Government officials report at least 19 deaths and widespread destruction across the island, including downed power lines, damaged infrastructure and flattened homes.

It hurts to see peoples lives in such disarray, said Leonard Jackson, a Tampa resident who donated to the relief effort. One storm can uproot a whole family a whole community.

In response, local fraternities and community organizations organized a food and supply drive Saturday at the Christian Praise and Worship Center in Tampa

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