Does Publix throw away returned food and water?
Now that the storm has passed, people may be inclined to return their food supplies back to the store.
"Any perishable product returns to our stores must be discarded," said Publix media and community relations manager Brian West.
However, rumors spreading via social media that Publix stores will throw away any food items that are returned are not true.
Bottled water and other non-perishable items can go back on store shelves.
The need is great for those who find themselves without power.
It’ll open its outreach centers in Tampa and New Port Richey on Wednesday looking to help those in need, and its asking for donations of generators, flashlights, batteries for existing flashlights, nonperishables and bottled water.
A team is working there to see how it can serve Outreach clients with or without power beginning Wednesday.
Dulcinea N. Kimrey, divisional communications director for the Army, said donations specifically earmarked "Hurricane Irma" will go directly to local efforts.
It’s a concerted effort to help assist first responders and survivors get back on their feet, and it has staff and volunteers coming from the Eastern Seaboard and as far away as Canada.