Bay Area eyewear company offering free glasses to hurricane victims

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA. – As cleanup efforts continue after hurricanes Helene and Milton, a Bay Area eyewear company is doing what it can to help survivors get their lives back together. Zenni Optical is offering free reading glasses and sunglasses to victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

After two powerful hurricanes put millions of people in recovery mode, Zenni wanted to help people in ways that most forget are critical to their quality of life.

After hurricanes Helene and Milton hit six states in less than a week, millions of people are cleaning up the devastation and trying to move on with their lives.

On Sunday, President Joe Biden toured the damage in areas of Florida.

“For some people it was a disaster. “All people have lost not only their homes, but more importantly, their lives,” Biden said.

More than 9,600 federal forces, including 4,100 FEMA employees, were deployed throughout the Southeast. As federal, state and local governments work together to help people recover, Marin-based Zenni is offering free reading and sunglasses to people in areas affected by the hurricanes.

“First, I just want to say that our condolences are with everyone affected by the destruction caused by the hurricanes. The loss is truly devastating and we’re just trying to do what we can for anyone who needs our help right now,” said Veronica Alcaro, Vice President of Brand at Zenni Optical.

FEMA said it received a record-breaking 250,000 applications for disaster assistance just one day after the funds were made available. Zenni says it also wants to help the community as much as possible, especially during unprecedentedly difficult times.

“Sometimes you take your eyesight for granted. In times like these, we really try to help people who don’t have access to their glasses right now,” Alcaro said.

For more information on how to get Zenni glasses for free, click here.

For FEMA information click here.