Groups Providing Direct Support
Donate Now:
- Hurricane Helene Response Fund via Organizing Resilience, housed at Amalgamated Foundation
- The Appalachian Helene Response Fund, housed at Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky
- East Kentucky Mutual Aid: PayPal & Venmo: @ekymutualaid | Cashapp: $ekymutualaid
Follow for Updates & Info:
- Down Home NC
- Appalachian Voices
- Blue Ridge Public Radio
- BeLoved Asheville
- The Highlander Center
- Democracy Green
More links and resources via Down Home NC: https://linktr.ee/downhomenc
Resources for Farmers:
- For NC Farmers: N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services activated its hotline to connect farmers with resources. The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. A live operator will be available on the hotline between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For farmers with livestock in need of hay or feed, or anyone who is able to donate, a form is available here: https://go.ncsu.edu/livestockdisasterhelp
More info to come, follow @agrariantrust for updates
More ways to help heavily impacted communities in WNC:
Hope Mill, Inc – Helicopters Dropping Relief
- Pilots are landing in areas of the mountains where road access is still cut off and/or where emergency crews have not yet reached with food and water.
- The funds are being used to purchase water and critical supplies by a business based in the Charlotte region. Helicopters are primarily staging and departing out of Hickory, N.C.
- BPR has confirmed the GoFundMe listed below is being managed by those directly involved in relief (the effort is also linked to the relief effort supported by Cletus McFarland, a helicopter pilot and YouTuber.).
- A group of independent pilots with helicopters have been dropping off donated water, food, and supplies throughout the region for several days.
GoFundMe: Support Hope Mill Inc’s Hurricane Relief
Hearts With Hands (Swannanoa/Asheville)
- A local-based organization that has been supplying food and essentials to Buncombe County shelters.
- The group asks that you do not deliver supplies unannounced to their Swannanoa warehouse (they had to evacuate and are restoring services).
- The request is for financial donations online.
https://www.heartswithhands.org/ - Trucks with large loads of supplies (water, food, and more are listed here) should email [email protected] to coordinate warehouse drop-off.
Manna FoodBank in Asheville
- The organization’s warehouse was prepped prior to the storm.
- Updates will be made available via the FoodBank’s website.
- There are many ways to get involved, volunteer, and donate – including online. Go here to give money to the Manna FoodBank online.
BeLoved Asheville
- On-the-ground volunteers are collecting and distributing a wide array of supplies.
- Cash donations can be sent via:
Venmo: BeLoved-Asheville
CashApp: $BeLovedAsheville
Zelle: 828-412-2054 - Specific items are needed, including: food, bottled water, contractor-size trash bags, blankets, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products, diapers and baby clothes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, paper towels, bleach, shovels, brooms, gloves, coolers, propane, cook stoves, flashlights, batteries, fans, dehumidifiers, and generators.
- Volunteers are needed to help deliver supplies. Truck owners and truck drivers are needed.
- Drop-off and staging updates are available on the organization’s social media pages. BeLoved Asheville is located at 32 Old Charlotte Hwy, Asheville, NC 28803.
- For volunteer info and more, visit the organization’s website.
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.
Homeward Bound in Asheville
- The organization 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.
Mountain Projects
- Historically the group has helped with emergency housing, including storm victims.
- Plans and information on response to Hurricane Helene were not available as the group is based in Waynesville, which was hit with flooding.
- For more, visit the organization’s website.
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
- The non-profit 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.
Operation Airdrop
- The group 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.
Democracy Green
- Already on the ground in Cleveland, Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, and Watauga counties. Updates available on the group’s Facebook page.
- Volunteers are needed: Call 910-813-3757.
- Supplies requested includes: water, non-perishable food, grills, charcoal briquettes and matches.
- As of Sept. 29, the drop-off point for supplies was: The Swatchworks 453 Oakhurst Rd., Asheboro, NC 27205. (Call ahead for large deliveries).
- Items accepted at the above address 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon-Thurs.