Western North Carolina Needs Our Help After Helene – Here’s What You Can Do!

Source: WFMY News 2

As Hurricane Helene approached North Carolina on Thursday, Sept. 26, it was just predicted to be another bad tropical storm. Now, this hurricane will go down in history books for destroying much of Western North Carolina. 

The western part of our state will never be the same. And they greatly need our help.

In this article, you will find multiple ways to extend a helping hand to our fellow North Carolinians. But one thing is clear: please stay put. There is no need to travel out to Western North Carolina. Much of the roads are not safe to use and volunteers might take up resources needed for locals. 

The best way to help is by doing the following:

• Donate money
• Donate resources
• Foster pets that are displaced by the hurricane
• Volunteer with trusted organizations
• Share disaster relief information and other helpful resources with those who have been impacted by the hurricane

Who should you donate money to?

Here is a list of verified organizations that accept online donations. They are categorized as local, statewide, national and religious organizations.

Local

• Appalachia Funders Network 
• Appalachia Service Project 
• Democracy Green 
• Foothills Food Hub 
• Rural Organizing and Resilience 
• Mountain Projects 

Statewide

• North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fun
• NC Counts Coalition Collaborative Efforts for Hurricane Helene 
• Second Harvest Food Bank
• State of NC’s Disaster Relief Fund 

National

• American Red Cross Hurricane Helene Relief 
• Mutual Aid Disaster Relief is a grassroots disaster relief network based on the principles of solidarity, mutual aid and autonomous direct action. 
• Southeast Climate and Energy Network – Donations should be tagged with “Helene.” 
• United Way 
• World Central Kitchen 

Religious Organizations

• Baptists on Mission donation page 
• Emerge Ministries 
• Lutheran Disaster Response: Hurricane Helene
• Salvation Army Hurricane Helene Relief 
• Samaritan’s Purse International Relief 
• United Methodist Church – North Carolina Conference 

Who should you donate resources to and what resources are needed?

Below is a list of verified organizations across the state that are collecting various resources. Most websites state what is needed (otherwise it is listed next to the name in this article).

• Diaper Bank of North Carolina – supplying diapers and formula for infants and toddlers, period products, and adult incontinence supplies for seniors and people with disabilities. Here is their Amazon wishlist
• Hearts with Hands disaster relief
• Hurricane Helene Airlift Relief
• Operation Airdrop

Want to foster a pet that has been displaced by Hurricane Helene? 

Reach out to Forsyth Humane Society and they will get you set up.

Want to volunteer?

Below is a list of organizations that need volunteers:

• Next Level Disaster Relief
• North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
• Operation Airdrop

Are there any other resources that can be shared with those impacted by Hurricane Helene?

Yes! Below is an exhaustive list of resources that can be helpful to those impacted by the hurricane. Please share!

• The Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina has opened a Hurricane Helene Relief Fund to distribute directly to hospice and home care employees devastated by this storm. 
• Apply for FEMA aid: Visit disasterassistance.gov, call 1-800-621-3362, or use the FEMA App
• Find emergency shelter: https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/open-shelters
• Find your local food bank: Visit Feeding America or call Manna Food Bank at 1-800-820-1109
• Report a missing person: Call 211 or complete this form through United Way 
• Request crisis cleanup: (844) 965-1386
• View road conditions: Call 511 or visit https://drivenc.gov/
• Report a power outage: 1-800-543-5599 or text “OUT” to 57801
• Report price gouging to the NCDOJ: 1-877-5-NO-SCAM
• Receive disaster distress counseling: Call or text 1-800-985-5990
• View the latest update from Blue Ridge Public Radio
• View other local resources: ABC News Asheville live resources

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It is going to take a while for the western part of our state to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. But if we all pitch in, we can speed up that process.