CORTEZ, Fla. (WFLA) — Back to back hurricanes devastated many communities across the Tampa Bay area.

In Cortez, a small fishing village in Manatee County, families and business owners are still working to rebuild.

The Hart family considers themselves lucky to have been able to move back into their home ahead of the holidays. They just made the move back last week.

Jay Hart recalled how gut-wrenching it was to see the community he loves in shambles after Hurricane Helene’s surges tore through the community.

“I have to admit that right after the storm, there were quite a few people who were questioning whether we were going to pull through and maybe this was the end of Cortez Park,” Hart said. “But after a few days, everybody kind of dug in and said, we are sticking around. That feeling, that sense of community is what really keeps us going.”

With the Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner, families like the Harts are reflecting on what they’re thankful for this year.

“There are a lot of people who lost their lives in the hurricane, so we managed to avoid any loss of life in the park,” Hart said. “I am thankful for the community. I am thankful, again, for our ability to bounce back and to hang on here.”

For business owners, the work to rebuild continues.

Slicker’s Eatery was closed for 58 days as of Nov. 26. The restaurant is still under construction, but owner Bob Slicker said he hopes to reopen soon.

“We are still getting it back together, but we can now kind of start planning and ordering some equipment, maybe change our menu a little bit to make it a little easier to get open,” Slicker said.

Despite losing everything in his business in the storm surge, Slicker has continued to give back to his community through events for storm victims and local service workers.

Happening later this week, his family and friends will be at the restaurant serving up Thanksgiving meals to the entire Cortez Fishing Village. Hundreds of people are expected to show up. The meals will be completely free, thanks to community partners who pitched in to help Slicker and help the community.

“We are having a Thanksgiving dinner for 500+ people because nobody’s stoves are working that are big enough for turkeys,” Slicker said. “Somebody volunteered to help us. and those charitable groups like the Rotary offered to help. and we are going to give a free Thanksgiving dinner. That is what we are grateful for. That is what we are thankful for, that we are going to be together as a community.”