Helene Support (updated 10/7/24)
Thanks for your interest in supporting Hurricane Helene response efforts in Western NC. The road to recovery will be long in the aftermath of this devastating storm. As is often the case, marginalized people and communities are disconnected from the most visible and well-resourced disaster relief efforts and often left to fend for themselves. North Carolina has amazing civic and social infrastructure and I’m fortunate to be connected with people and grassroots organizations that are working to make sure communities that are often left behind including elderly and disabled people, the unhoused, and people who rely on public housing have the support they need.
This list has been crowdsourced from trusted partners, but is not comprehensive. Each of the organizations are currently managing relief efforts and would be extremely grateful for any support you can provide. There is no expectation that you will give to all of these organizations, but I wanted to provide you with a few options. You can find their direct donation links below. It is difficult for many of them to be responsive via email right now, but please let me know if you need to be connected with them to move resources in a different way. {allen.melanie at gmail.com}
I’ll try to update this resource at least once a day. There will be a call for philanthropic support for more durable solutions as communities transition from response to relief, recovery, reimagining, and rebuilding. Email me if you’d like to stay abreast of those efforts.
Groups Seeking Donations/Providing Support
BeLoved Asheville – community-based mutual aid providing food, water and safe harbor, while they have a vast network that prioritizes BIPOC communities, l they have also focused on public housing, elder care and mental health facilities where people have been left behind
Donations (Monetary)
NC Diaper Bank (there is a dire need for baby formula right now)
Donations (Monetary)
CIMA/Colaborative La Milpa – are offering necessary mutual aid and in language support for the Latinx community, especially the large Spanish speaking migrant community in the region. You can use the donation link on their website
Day One Relief – supports BIPOC and LBGTQ+ organizations that are often ignored when it comes to recovery efforts after major storms like Hurricane Helene. They seek out those who have the hardest time receiving supplies after disasters and work to provide them with the tools they need to survive after their lives have been turned upside down.
Their approach differs from major charities, as they believe in communities helping communities, and the best way to make sure aid gets where it’s needed the most is by working with community groups in affected areas.
Democracy Green –providing mutual aid support to smaller communities outside of the Asheville area that are getting less attention
Donations (Monetary)
Hood Huggers, International (Asheville-Based NC Climate Justice Collective partner and neighborhood resiliency hub) is providing support in historic West Asheville’s Burton Street community. A historically Black area of Asheville.
Down Home North Carolina: multi-racial base building organization that has repurposed their staff, canvassers and volunteer base to do wellness canvasses and connect people with relief efforts
YMI Cultural Center organized the Bridging the Gaps Initiative to ensure that the most marginalized members of our Asheville community are being connected with necessary supplies and support in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Accounts/Groups Keeping and Sharing Updated Information