Philanthropy Roundtable is providing a list of organizations offering assistance to those affected in the region. However, given the immediate need, please be aware the Roundtable has not fully vetted all of these organizations, and we simply list them here for your review and consideration.
Hurricane Helene is now the second-deadliest hurricane to hit mainland America in the past 55 years and has devastated the infrastructure in the Southeast, with flood waters washing away roads, communication lines and access to power, food and fuel. Nearly 200 people have reportedly died as a result of the storm, and yet hundreds are still missing a week later.
Through the destruction, there have been countless examples of mutual aid reported – neighbors helping neighbors until additional help could arrive. Mutual aid is a critical part of the American tradition of generosity and the fabric of our society.
For hundreds of years, Americans have had the freedom and felt the personal responsibility to look first to themselves and come together to solve problems in their community. While they may not be able to set up temporary cell towers or rebuild roads, the strong individual response has saved lives in the immediate aftermath of the storm.
At Philanthropy Roundtable, we promote charitable giving to organizations that respond to disasters in a timely and targeted manner and in a way that reflects our shared values about individuals, families and communities. If you are looking for ways to give to those who have been impacted throughout the Southeast, please consider the following organizations:
Convoy of Hope, a “faith-based organization with a driving passion to feed the world through children’s feeding initiatives, community outreach and disaster response,” is working throughout the Southeast and is working with local officials to set up points of distribution, where it will begin assisting storm survivors. Convoy will “work with local church, civic and nonprofit groups to distribute as much relief as possible.”
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
To reach those most impacted, Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is utilizing their food banks across the state deliver food in 25 affected counties including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Between deploying delivery trucks and mobile refrigeration units, their staff has been able to prepare and deliver ready-to-go meals for impacted families across western North Carolina by working with first responders and other local charities.
Matthew 25 Ministries
Matthew 25: Ministries, which “helps the poorest of the poor and disaster victims throughout the United States,” has partnered with Procter & Gamble and Walmart to deploy disaster response fleet vehicles in Florida, including Tide Loads of Hope Mobile Laundry units, shower trailers and co-branded panel trucks. The team is offering critical services such as laundry and shower facilities and distributing essential supplies.
Matthew 25 also deployed the Duracell PowerForward truck, equipped with up to 20,000 Duracell batteries as well as on-board charging stations for mobile devices. In North Carolina, Matthew 25 is airlifting supplies for distribution to severely impacted areas with support from partners like Kroger, Procter & Gamble, Prime and Walmart.
North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund (NCCF) and The Community Foundation for Western North Carolina (CFWNC)
NCCF is accepting donations for their Disaster Relief Fund, which will address long-term recovery and meet unmet needs that are not being filled by other resources. This fund will provide grants to nonprofits building strong communities in western North Carolina. CFWNC’s Emergency and Disaster Response Fund is accepting and disbursing funds to support regional response and relief efforts in 18 counties across Western North Carolina including the Qualla Boundary. According to their website, “Funds will ensure that frontline nonprofits have the resources they need for the critical early response and continuing recovery.”
Operation Blessing International
Operation Blessing has four program pillars: disaster relief, hunger relief, medical care and clean water. Their team, which is dedicated to “demonstrating God’s love by alleviating human need and suffering in the United States and around the world,” not only focuses on immediate assistance, but they also work to promote long-term stability in the areas they serve.
According to the organization’s website, “While a dedicated disaster relief team from Operation Blessing is bringing relief in hard-hit Georgia, additional disaster relief staff from around the world have arrived in North Carolina, where unprecedented flooding has destroyed infrastructure and left thousands vulnerable without electricity, adequate safe drinking water and access to food.”
Samaritan’s Purse
The Boone, North Carolina-headquartered Samaritan’s Purse is a “nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.” It has a long history of helping those affected by war, poverty, natural disasters, disease and famine. As part of its Hurricane Helene response, the organization has deployed a 20-bed Emergency Field Hospital in North Carolina, and air relief to deliver emergency items to the most remote regions of Appalachia. Samaritan’s Purse has two Disaster Relief bases in Florida and one in Georgia. They are also coordinating volunteer teams across the Southeast to “mud out homes, cut downed trees, tarp roofs and remove debris to help families get through this historic crisis.”
World Central Kitchen (WCK)
World Central Kitchen is providing fresh water and food to those in need by joining forces with restaurants and food trucks. The WCK tanker trucks are deployed to Asheville, North Carolina, and provide up to 100,000 gallons of fresh drinking water a day. WCK is currently partnered with 35 food trucks and 16 restaurants across multiple states and is providing tens of thousands of hot meals and sandwiches to families in need. WCK coordinates food delivery by helicopters, ATVs and any other means necessary to reach those most impacted.
We will continue to add to this list as we learn more in the coming days and weeks.
If you are interested in supporting these relief efforts or would like to recommend an organization doing great work, please contact [email protected].
