In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Fetch and industry partners provided essential relief to help residents and property managers recover from devastating floods.
AUSTIN, Texas – October 7, 2024:
Natural disasters don’t just destroy homes — they disrupt lives, displace families, and leave communities scrambling to recover. When Hurricane Helene hit Florida’s coastline, the aftermath was catastrophic for many apartment communities, including one of Sinatra and Company’s communities, Captiva Club in Tampa, Florida, which saw over 170 units rendered uninhabitable due to severe flooding. But in the face of such devastation, the multifamily industry once again showed its resilience, compassion, and capacity to come together to support those affected.
The response to this crisis was nothing short of remarkable, with organizations from across the industry joining forces to help the community rebuild. Among those answering the call were the Bay Area Apartment Association (BAAA), Hatching Hope, Chadwell Supply, Allegiant-Carter, City Recycling Group, and Fetch. Together, these groups coordinated an on-the-ground relief effort that provided essential supplies to residents and property managers dealing with the fallout.
Why We Stepped Up
At Fetch, we’ve always prioritized community as part of our corporate social responsibility. While we typically focus on offsite package management, our team understands that serving property managers and residents goes beyond our core business — it’s about supporting the well-being of the communities where we operate, especially when a crisis strikes. The destruction caused by Hurricane Helene was a reminder of the unpredictability of nature and how quickly it can disrupt lives.
The flooding displaced hundreds of families, forcing them to leave their homes and, in many cases, their personal belongings behind. With emergency services stretched thin, there was an urgent need for supplies to help families manage the immediate impact. By delivering emergency kits packed with cleaning supplies, air mattresses, and other essentials, our goal was to provide residents with the tools they needed to start the long process of recovery.
But it wasn’t just the residents who needed help. Property managers were faced with the overwhelming task of not only managing a crisis but also coordinating repairs, working with displaced residents, and overseeing restoration efforts. The partnership between industry organizations like BAAA, Hatching Hope, and Fetch was critical in providing relief on multiple fronts.
A Coordinated Effort With a Lasting Impact
The success of the recovery effort can be attributed to the strong collaboration between all the involved parties. Hatching Hope, an organization that specializes in disaster relief, played a leading role in organizing the distribution of emergency kits. These kits, which included essential items such as cleaning supplies, air mattresses, and toiletries, were crucial for families who had little to return to after the flooding subsided.
Individuals arrived onsite as soon as it was safe, ready to assist in the cleanup process. The immediate need was clear: Families needed basic supplies to make their apartments livable again, and property managers needed a plan to restore their buildings quickly and safely. We worked hand-in-hand with the property management team to deliver resources that could address both short-term and long-term needs.
For residents, receiving even small comforts — like air mattresses to sleep on while they worked to clean up their homes — made a world of difference. It wasn’t just about the supplies but the sense of hope and care they represented. Knowing that the multifamily industry cared about their well-being offered residents a sense of comfort in an otherwise uncertain time.
For property managers, the support went beyond the delivery of supplies. By having a team on the ground to assist with distribution, coordination, and clean-up, they could focus on navigating the complexities of insurance, repairs, and resident safety.
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Community Resilience
As a company, Fetch is committed to continuing our efforts to support communities, both during times of growth and in moments of crisis. While we are best known for our offsite package management solutions, this effort was a reminder of the broader role we can play in the industry — supporting the people who make up the heart of these communities.
Natural disasters like Hurricane Helene may be unavoidable, but our response to them is a testament to the strength of the multifamily industry. Working together, we helped bring immediate relief to a community in need, allowing residents to focus on rebuilding their lives with a sense of security and support.
This experience has further solidified our belief that corporate social responsibility goes beyond financial contributions. It’s about being present, taking action, and providing genuine, tangible support when it’s needed most. We’re proud to have been a part of this recovery effort and remain committed to helping communities rebuild in the face of adversity.
About Fetch
Fetch makes apartment package delivery convenient, reliable, and enjoyable for residents and onsite teams alike. To date, Fetch Package Inc. has delivered over 28 million packages to residents of apartment communities with a last-mile delivery platform designed to scale with growing e-commerce trends. Fetch completely solves multifamily’s resident package problem by moving packages offsite and coordinating delivery directly with residents. The company is headquartered in Austin, Texas, operates in more than 25 major markets across the United States, and supports more than 385K apartment homes in over 1,100 communities. For more information, visit fetchpackage.com/student-housing and follow us on LinkedIn.
