How to help people impacted by the Key Bridge collapse

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday after it was struck by a cargo ship, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers and partially shutting down the Port of Baltimore. People from the Baltimore community and beyond are coming together to show support for victims, first responders and port workers.

“Baltimore is strong, Maryland is strong and together we will help our communities recover from this unthinkable tragedy,” Mayor Brandon Scott wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Here are ways to help the families, port workers and first responders impacted by the bridge collapse.

Donation drives

The Latino Racial Justice Circle, a nonprofit group of volunteer community advocates and allies who support the Spanish-speaking community in Baltimore, wanted to be proactive in its outreach of support to the families of the construction workers who were on the bridge at the time of the collapse.

LRJC, without knowing what the families need, started a GoFundMe campaign.

In roughly six hours, almost $100,000 was donated.

“We raised so much money so fast,” said Susana Barrios, vice president of the Latino Racial Justice Circle.

Given the size of the fund, LRJC closed the GoFundMe campaign and passed it off to the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs to handle and eventually distribute funds to the victims’ families and families of survivors.

Donations are still being accepted. Any individuals or organizations who wish to make ongoing donations or a larger one-time contribution can contact Rachel Donegan, director of partnerships at the Baltimore Civic Fund.

“We are so grateful for the community wanting to be so supportive,” Barrios said.

The League of United Latin American Citizens is organizing a GoFundMe campaign for the families of the construction workers. As of 2:45 p.m. Friday, the organization had raised more than $5,000 of its $25,000 goal.

“This week’s tragedy has shaken, not only the Baltimore community to its core, but also the Latino community at large,” LULAC National President Domingo Garcia said in a statement.

“These workers, who arrived in the United States with dreams of a better life, faced the ultimate sacrifice in their quest for the American Dream. We stand by their families during this difficult time,” he added.

The Baltimore chapter of the U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association is collecting donations after there was an outpouring of people who wanted to help.

“We are devastated by the recent events involving the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and its effect on our Baltimore community. However, we’re also so proud of our Coast Guard members, partner agencies, and other first responders who are tirelessly working around the clock these past few days,” the chapter wrote in a Facebook post.

United Way of Central Maryland on Friday opened the “Bridging the Gap” fund, which “will support efforts in eviction prevention, food access, and other mid- and long-term needs,” the organization wrote on the donation page.

“We anticipate that the repercussions of this catastrophic event will play out in our communities over the next months, maybe years. Our goal with the Bridging the Gap Fund is to provide support for immediate needs, but also to support our neighbors and the neighborhoods they call home well into the future,” said Franklyn Baker, president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland, in a statement. “We will remain connected with our partners and community members as needs shift.”

The Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center accepts donations to support its work serving seafarers who call on the Port of Baltimore.

The North Point-Edgemere Volunteer Fire Department is collecting nonperishable items to deliver to first responders. Items donated so far include water, Gatorade, energy drinks, crackers and protein bars.

Boat Baltimore, a sailing charter company, is collecting food for first responders, including snacks, cases of water, energy drinks and prepared meals from licensed restaurants. Those who can provide donations can email love@boatbaltimore.com. Donations will be dropped off at the Maryland Cruise Terminal.

As of Friday morning, Boat Baltimore had received an overwhelming amount of food and supplies for first responders.

“We are going to begin to turn our attention on supporting the port workers and collecting food for their families, and those of the fallen, once a clear route of how to do so becomes available,” Captain Bobby LaPin said in an email Friday.

Drink, eat and support

Dundalk’s Key Brewing Co. is hosting a “Support the Port” benefit concert and silent auction Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Drafts will be flowing, as Key Brewing will donate 10% of all beer sales to support local port workers.

Maryland Waterways Foundation will also collect donations for port workers Friday evening at Key Brewing, and a T-shirt sale will benefit the emergency workers fund set up by the Baltimore chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.

For the next month, Max’s Taphouse in Fells Point is donating 100% of sales from all Key Brewing Co. kegs to families.

“We know this is only a drop in the bucket, but we hope to send some support to those who lost loved ones while also supporting a brewery that has certainly been impacted hard as well,” Max’s Taphouse wrote in a Facebook post.

“Baltimore is a strong and resilient city. We are honored to be a part of it. And together, we will rebuild.”

The Hickory Lodge and The Steelefish Grille, both in Bel Air, will donate 10% of all sales made during Easter weekend “to assist the families affected by this tragedy,” the restaurants wrote on Facebook.

The restaurants will also have collection boxes on-site.

This story has been updated to correct the email address for Boat Baltimore's donation fund.

Jess Nocera

jess.nocera@thebaltimorebanner.com

Jess Nocera is a regional reporter covering Howard County.

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