Hurricane Helene Help Resources

 

Walmart will help magnify their impact by matching their donations to the American Red Cross 1:1, up to $2.5 million, when they donate to support hurricane relief at the registers in stores and clubs and on Walmart.com from Sept. 30 – Oct. 13. Walmart store status and IT Disaster Resource Mobile Units, including Wifi Access & charging stations can be found here. 

CARE, the Atlanta-based nonprofit is collecting funds to provide essential supplies and long-term recovery support for families in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The organization specifically prioritizes aiding women and girls in its humanitarian efforts. Donations can be made here.

World Central Kitchen teams are in four states serving meals and assessing food needs for communities in the southeastern US after Hurricane Helene. WCK teams are scouting in Tennessee and North Carolina to find the biggest areas of need. With many roads rendered impassable into cities like Asheville, WCK is exploring all options to reach isolated communities. Donate here.

All Hands and Hearts This volunteer-based organization works alongside local residents to help by rebuilding schools, homes and other community infrastructure. It has a Helene fund started.

Americares focuses on medical aid, helping communities recover from disasters with access to medicine and providing personal protective equipment and medical supplies. To help Hurricane Helene victims, Americares has set up a donation page.

The Blood Connection, which serves hospitals in Georgia and the Carolinas, is calling for donations to ensure that vital operations can continue in the wake of Helene. To find a blood donation center, search for your location on the Blood Connection website.

Operation Blessing works with emergency management and local churches to bring clean water, food, medicine and more supplies to people with immediate needs in disaster areas. Donate to their Helene fund on their website.

GlobalGiving is partnering with locally led nonprofits in Helene’s path by setting up a relief fund to provide emergency medical supplies, food, and water to people and animals in need. Donations to the fund can be made right here.

Save the Children works to get child-focused supplies into the hands of families hardest-hit by the storm including hygiene kits, diapers and baby wipes as well as classroom cleaning kits to schools and assistance in restoring child care and early learning centers. Donate to the Children's Emergency Fund.

Mercy Chefs provides chef-prepared, nutritious meals and clean water for victims, volunteers, and first responders in natural disasters and emergencies across the country and around the globe.

Southern Smoke Foundation funds workers in the food and beverage industry, from farmers to baristas, who have been affected by a natural disaster. Funds go directly into the pockets of workers to help with everything from affording essentials like groceries to repairing damage caused by the disaster. To donate, visit the Southern Smoke website here.

Samaritan’s Purse mobilizes staff and equipment and enlists thousands of volunteers to provide emergency aid to victims of tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters in the United States. Learn more and donate to Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts.

World Central Kitchen: Chef José Andrés has set up kitchen facilities and start serving thousands of meals to victims and responders. You can help by donating on their website.

North Carolina

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry nonprofit provides transitional and permanent housing for homeless individuals in the area. In the aftermath of Helene, the organization’s Crisis Ministry has partnered with the Red Cross to provide flood support, housing, and food. Monetary donations can be made here.

Cajun Navy 2016 team is stationed in Asheville and is conducting wellness checks while delivering food, water, and other essential supplies. To support monetarily, donate on this Facebook page.

Baptists on Mission is setting up feeding units and recovery sites, and is already providing relief in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The nonprofit is actively seeking volunteers to provide showers, food, and laundry for those in need, as well as to help rescue people trapped in their homes. To learn more about volunteering or to donate money, visit this webpage.

Hearts with Hands is a North Carolina–based nonprofit that specializes in providing food and supplies during disasters. To see how you can help, visit its website here.

F.A.R.M. Cafe - Based in Boone, North Carolina, this café is providing hot meals to anyone who walks through its doors. The mostly volunteer-run restaurant partners with local farmers to serve those in need and is trying to send meals out to those who can’t reach the café. To donate to fund operations, click here.

Looking for someone in Asheville/Buncombe county area? Try this. 

Mother Earth Food, an Asheville-based farm-to-home delivery service, has shifted its operations in the aftermath of Helene to bring food to communities in need. Partnering with local farmers, food trucks, and chefs, the organization aims to distribute nutrient-rich food to nourish people across Western North Carolina. Those looking to donate money to these efforts can do so here.

Western NC Foothills Food Hub - https://www.foothillsfoodhub.org/donate

Blueridge Public Radio has posted a tremendous collection of resources on their page. 

Water Mission is providing generators and clean water to those hit by Helene in Western North Carolina, starting in Boone. To donate to support these efforts, visit the organization’s Helene disaster response page.

North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund will go to nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of storm victims such as food and water, cleaning supplies and other emergency supplies. All of the donations made will go to disaster relief.

The Salvation Army of the Carolinas is accepting donations online here, or by telephone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY

Baptists on Mission is responding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in the mountains of western North Carolina. They’ve set up feeding units at First Baptist Boone and Biltmore Baptist in Arden. In addition, they are setting up recovery sites in Boone, Spruce Pine, Hendersonville and Marion.

• Donate here, or: 
• To make a donation by check, make the check payable to Baptists on Mission, PO Box 1107, Cary, NC 27512. Designate on your check to Hurricane Helene Response.

Operation Airdrop Based at Concord Regional Airport organization mobilizes volunteer pilots and a diverse fleet of aircraft to deliver essential supplies to areas cut off from traditional aid routes. Donate here to support their work.

Hope Mill, Inc is a group of independent pilots with helicopters have been dropping off donated water, food, and supplies throughout the region for several days. Help fund their efforts here: Support Hope Mill Inc's Hurricane Relief

Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief Grass-roots organizers are collecting donations of supplies (and money) and staging at various Statesville Airport. There are drop-off points across North Carolina. For the latest, and to get involved, visit the group's dedicated Facebook page.

Operation Airdrop is focusing operations on North Carolina after it aided Helene victims in Florida. Pilots and volunteers will deliver essential supplies and food to disaster-stricken areas in the mountains. For more information, visit the website.

JAARS is a non-profit departing from Avery County, and delivering by air critical supplies, food, and water to hard-hit areas of the mountains. Online, you can donate here.

Buncombe County Government

• If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs, please email: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org
• If you want to volunteer, please email: helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org

Madison County Government

• To volunteer on the ground, email disastervolunteer@madisoncounty.gov.
• Or call: 828-649-1815

Henderson County

• To learn how to donate supplies, please email: Helene-Donations@hcem.org.
• To make a monetary donation online, you can go here.
• For volunteer info and additional details, visit the county's official Helene response website.

Legal Aid of North Carolina will deploy in disaster-stricken areas to help with FEMA aid applications, legal support, long-term housing, fraud cases, and more. The organization also operates a Legal Aid hotline (866) 219-5262). Go here to donate; lawyers can sign up to volunteer here.

Friends of Hot Springs Library This group is accepting donations on behalf of rebuild and relief efforts in Hot Springs. To donate, go here.

The University of North Carolina System There are four UNC system colleges in Western North Carolina. System leaders shared the following funds, where donations may be sent to support affected students, faculty, and staff.

• Appalachian State University Disaster Relief Fund
• NCSSM-Morganton Helene Recovery Fund
• UNC Asheville giving website (Select “UNC Asheville Fund” designation)
• Western Carolina University Emergency Fund

Hearts With Hands (Swannanoa/Asheville) is local-based organization that has been supplying food and essentials to Buncombe County shelters. Financial donations online can be sent here. Trucks with large loads of supplies should email info@heartswithhands.org to coordinate warehouse drop-off.

Manna FoodBank in Asheville This organization is distributing food, water, and more at the Asheville Farmers Market. For information about how to donate or volunteer, visit the FoodBank’s website.

BeLoved Asheville For volunteer info and more, visit the organization's website.

Haywood Christian Ministry - Western North Carolina's largest food pantry, based in the Waynesville area. For info and to donate, go here.

Diaper Bank: Babies Need Bottoms - Asheville - Donations of wipes, diapers, and rash cream are needed immediately. You can donate online or use the non-profit's Amazon Wish List here.

Foothills Food Hub Working to source water and shelf-stable goods to distribute in McDowell County. Requesting monetary donations, which can be made online here.

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue saw its facility destroyed in the disaster. All animals are with foster families. The group is fundraising to help provide animals in foster with essential supplies and more. To learn more and donate, go here.

Partnership for Appalachian Girls' Education (PAGE) is collecting monetary donations to support the educational and social-emotional needs of girls following this disaster. For more info and to donate, go here.

Community Housing Coalition of Madison County will be helping fund emergency home repairs for Helene victims in Madison County. Go here for more information or to donate.

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County helps residents connect to a wide array of resources via it's 2-1-1 hotline. The local United Way plans to help with immediate natural disaster response and long-term support for flood victims. Donations can be made online here.

Wine to Water is currently servicing Watauga and Avery counties and is expanding to Asheville and Ashe County as soon as possible. Distributes food, supplies, water, water filters, and hot meals. To learn more, volunteer, and donate, go here.

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry helps run and provide shelter in Asheville and is partnered with the Red Cross. Donations help pay for motel and food vouchers for local residents and long-term support for those displaced. Click here to donate food, clothing, or funds.

Homeward Bound in Asheville provides supportive housing to the homeless community in Asheville and it distributed essentials and clothing as the storm approached. For more information on year-round work and to donate, visit Homeward Bound’s website.

WNC Regional Livestock Center Based in Canton, the livestock center is working to help farmers and animals who were affected by flooding. You can donate toward helping local farmers who need to buy feed for animals. The center also helps supply fencing and other essentials.

• Contact: Yvonne Coburn with Civilian Disaster Response at 828-216-4496.
• More information is available here.

Democracy Green Already on the ground in Cleveland, Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, and Watauga counties. Updates available on the group's Facebook page.

American Red Cross of North Carolina You can volunteer to serve with the American Red Cross or you can donate blood, which assists medical facilities in responding to disasters. You can make an online donation or give by texting Helene to 90999. More information is available here.

Americares Emergency Response Team Donations to Americares Hurricane Helene Relief Fund will support health services for survivors, such as deliveries of medicines and relief supplies and support for damaged health facilities. The group partners with local clinics. For information and to donate, go here.

Salvation Army of the Carolinas The organization has historically worked to provide meals and support to residents and rescue personnel in WNC communities hard-hit by disasters. For information on donating and more, visit the Salvation Army of the Carolinas’ page with Hurricane Helene updates.

Baptists on Mission North Carolina Disaster Response volunteers will serve in communities as conditions allow. If you are interested in serving in flood recovery, chainsaw and temporary roof repair, you can volunteer on the organization’s website. Donations are accepted online and by check. Click here for more.

Samaritan’s Purse is responding to the High Country (northwestern North Carolina) and eastern Tennessee. Volunteers are needed for deployment starting Sept. 30. Donations are accepted online. Click here for more info.

Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina delivers items to flood victims in Western North Carolina. Monetary contributions also will help relocate families with foster children to secure accommodations, such as hotels or AirBnBs.

• Item drop-off locations will be announced on the group's Facebook page here.
• To make an online donation, visit the alliance's website.

Team Rubicon is responding with route clearance teams in South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee and is planning response operations in Buncombe County. Volunteers are needed for deployment starting immediately. Click here to sign up. Donations are accepted online here.

Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) is a non-profit arts service organization that provides craft artists with support and resources for disaster and emergency relief. To learn more or donate, go here.

Water Mission will take aid to the hardest-hit areas of Western North Carolina. Relief items from the Christian engineering non-profit include: generators, supplies, and water treatment equipment. To donate and learn, go here.

Mercy Chefs is deploying to Western North Carolina to serve prepared meals to volunteers on the ground, first responders, and community members stranded by the disaster. To learn more and donate, go here.

FLorida

Pinellas County is seeking volunteers to help with local recovery efforts. Sign up here!

Send Relief is coordinating its efforts with the Red Cross, FEMA, and the Salvation Army to deliver supplies to those in need in Perry and Live Oak, Florida, and near its ministry center in Valdosta, Georgia. Monetary donations can be made here.

Join Feeding Tampa Bay’s Emergency Response Volunteer Team, which works in partnership with local emergency operations centers to distribute food, hygiene items and water. Sign up here. You can also donate here.

Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay is part of a national organization, which also has locations in Central Florida and North Central Florida. Recent projects include covering vulnerable homes with roof tarps and coordinating hurricane relief kits. Visit their website to learn about volunteer opportunities or donate.

Operation BBQ Relief deploys mobile kitchens to fuel communities and first responders in areas hit by natural disasters. The nonprofit is serving meals around Florida, including St. Petersburg. Learn how to volunteer or donate at operationbbqrelief.org.

The Florida Disaster Fund is the official private fund from the state dedicated to helping communities responding to disaster. Contribute online via the Paypal Donation page. Make donations to Volunteer Florida Foundation. Checks can be mailed to: Volunteer Florida Foundation, Attn: Florida Disaster Fund, 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, FL 32308.

Kearney Center is a resource for people experiencing homelessness in the Big Bend region and serves as an emergency shelter during disasters. Donations to support its services, including providing shelter and meals, can be made on its website.

United Way of the Big Bend monetary donations support both short-term and long-term recovery efforts by funding food banks and disaster relief in the region.

Volunteer Florida is a state-run agency providing relief after disasters which works with the Florida Division of Emergency Management to operate an emergency hotline (1-800-342-3557) and deploy volunteers to help those in crisis. Those interested in volunteering, donating money, or donating supplies can learn more on its website.

211 Tampa Bay Cares connects people to important resources, from food and mental health services to housing needs and veteran support. Donate at 211tampabay.org.

Metropolitan Ministries works with 65 neighborhood partners to help families across Tampa Bay. Donations go toward helping people access food, water, shelter and supplies after Helene. metromin.org.

The Salvation Army is raising funds to support its Incident Management Teams and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief field kitchens, which provide meals in Florida, Tennessee and other areas impacted by the storm. Donate at disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

Florida Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters is a statewide group of nonprofits that work together to help people impacted by disasters. Learn more and donate at voadflorida.wpengine.com.

The Florida Disaster Fund is the official private fund from the state dedicated to helping communities responding to disaster. Contribute online via the Paypal Donation page. Make donations to Volunteer Florida Foundation. Checks can be mailed to: Volunteer Florida Foundation, Attn: Florida Disaster Fund, 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, FL 32308.

GlobalGiving is collecting funds to help Helene survivors across Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia and Cuba. Funds go towards emergency meals and supplies, as well as support for frontline workers. After initial relief work is done, the fund will transition to help “longer-term recovery and resiliency efforts led by local, vetted organizations.” Donate at globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-helene-relief-fund.

The West Pasco Title 1 Schools Hurricane Relief Donations Drive: Gulf High School is working with the Pasco Education Foundation to accept donations for families impacted by the storm. “All monies collected with be distributed fairly among the Title 1 elementary, middle, and high schools on the west side of Pasco,” read a Facebook post about the drive. “We are grateful for any contribution that will help our families get focused back on living and learning.” Visit bit.ly/pascohurricanerelief to donate.

Hudson High teams up with Metropolitan Ministries: Hudson High School will distribute hurricane relief supplies at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Clothing and hygiene items will also be available at the Hudson Community Clinic. To learn more about donating or receiving items, visit facebook.com/hudsonhighschoolpasco.

Anclote High School’s football program will collect cash donations, food, toiletries and clean clothing at upcoming football games on Monday and Friday. 1540 Sweetbriar Dr., Holiday. Contact Coach Berger at jschmach@pasco.k12.fk.us.

The Pinellas Education Foundation will use donations to help teachers, students and classrooms that were impacted by the storm. pinellaseducation.org.

Justice Over Everything is collecting donations from noon to 7 p.m. until Oct. 5 at the Pinellas County Democratic Party headquarters at 2250 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Donations will also be accepted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Oct. 5 at 1211 Tech Blvd., Tampa. Items needed include non-perishable food, batteries, portable chargers, air mattresses and pumps, tarps, bottled water, diapers, wipes, clothes and first air kits. justiceovereverything.com.