Editor's Note: Updates to this page have slowed as many local governments shift to formal coordination of donations and on-the-ground volunteers and stress the importance of organizing resources and distribution. Priority for further updates will be given to organizations collecting and distributing cold-weather supplies and/or government-led or government-coordinated efforts.
BPR's list of ways to help emerged early in the midst of disaster as a way to provide information about grassroots and charitable efforts. Thank you for your support and desire to serve flood victims in Western North Carolina.
For an official donations referral list from local government leaders, go here. For an official volunteer service referral list from local government leaders, go here.
Please note: For local listeners and readers, the BPR News team has worked nearly around the clock since the start of the storm to provide critical information and updates. More information specific to local resources (such as shelters and supplies) is available on our website.
Donate To Western North Carolina Flood Victims: Ways To Help
Photo by Gerard Albert III
Cold Weather: Donations Needed
Buncombe County
You can donate coats, blankets, gloves/mittens, hand warmers, and other cold-weather items at Buncombe donation drop-off sites. Locations include:
- 1298 Patton Avenue in West Asheville
- Arden Presbyterian Church at 2215 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville
- Harrah's Cherokee Center at 87 Haywood St., at the front door (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday)
- 6 Commerce Way, Arden
Eblen Charities
- Based in Asheville, the organization is providing warm clothing such as coats and scarves, as well as blankets - and a diverse range of supplies and additional support, including gas vouchers. Eblen has also opened a special "free store" in response to the disaster.
- For information on how to give, including to make an online donation, go here.
Centro Unido Latino Americano
- The non-profit is collecting, among other items, clothing for flood victims.
- Monetary donations are accepted:
Venmo: @CU282
PayPal - For more information, including on volunteer opportunities, go here.
Rural Organizing and Resilience - Marshall
The group is running a Hurricane Helene Mutual Aid Hub, which distributes a range of supplies including generators, gas and propane, and free firewood, which will assist those households with no heat source. The organization has a central location in Marshall and has delivered donations to victims in Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Avery and Buncombe counties.
To learn more, go here. To donate:
Paypal: ruralorganizingandresilience@gmail.com
Venmo: @roar_wnc
Beacon of Hope - Marshall
The organization continues all forms of relief and is supplying essential gear for cold weather (propane, heaters, generators, sleeping bags, blankets, wool socks, wool hats, and more). Material donation drop-offs should be coordinated before arrival. To do so, text Jessi at 828-380-2882.
To learn more and make a donation, go here.
Government-Led/Legal Relief
Buncombe County Government
- If you have donations or 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 diastervolunteer@madisoncountync.gov. (Please note: The email address appears to have a typo but also appears to be functional)
- 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.
Polk County
- For info on the Donation & Supply Distribution Center (including how to volunteer), go here.
Transylvania County
- Housing Assistance Corporation (serving Polk and Henderson counties also), which has a hurricane relief fund to help with home repairs and to rebuild affordable workforce housing locally.
- To make a donation, visit their website or mail to: PO Box 2057, Hendersonville, NC, 28793.
- The organization is looking for those who can offer temporary housing (for rent or no cost): Call 828-692-4744 ext 100 or email Ericka@housing-assistance.com
- The organization also is looking for contractors to work with (paid opportunity): Call 828-692-4744 ext 100 or email Ericka@housing-assistance.com
Legal Aid of North Carolina
- The non-profit law firm 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).
- Monetary donations are needed to fund the free legal assistance provided. Pro bono lawyers are needed to join disaster support efforts.
- Go here to donate; lawyers can sign up to volunteer here.
Pisgah Legal Hurricane Recovery Fund
- The non-profit legal aid organization is providing free help for those who are applying for FEMA aid.
- In the long term, the group (based in Western North Carolina already) will assist residents with housing needs, health care, disaster employment benefits, and more.
- For more information and to donate, go 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.
Downtown Spruce Pine
- The non-profit group is collecting and distributing funds to help locally owned businesses in Spruce Pine recover.
- You can give online via PayPal here. For info, check the organization's website.
Garrett Mitchel via Facebook
Flight-Based Relief
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
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
- 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.
JAARS
- The non-profit is operational, departing from Avery County, and delivering by air critical supplies, food, and water to hard-hit areas of the mountains.
- Monetary and supplies donations are needed. Requested items include: water, diapers, infant formula, sports drink powder, protein bars, batteries, and flashlights.
- Supplies can be dropped off at 7700 JAARS Road, Waxhaw, NC 28173 (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
- Online, you can donate here.
- Contact Lauren Key at lauren.key@jaars.org 704-843-6000 for questions.
School-Based Support
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
Local Verified Groups
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 info@heartswithhands.org to coordinate warehouse drop-off.
Manna FoodBank in Asheville
- The organization is distributing food, water, and more at the Asheville Farmers Market. For those wanting to send large food donations, please contact Director of Food Sourcing Lisa Reynolds by emailing lreynolds@mannafoodbank.org.
- Donation Times: October 7-11; October 14-18 (starts at 9 a.m., runs to 4 p.m. daily)
- The following items are requested:
Shelf-stable food (pop-top cans preferred, not requiring a can opener)
Bottled water
Personal hygiene items
Baby and toddler formula and food
Diapers - Updates will be made available via the FoodBank’s social media.
- 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
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/belovedasheville - 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.
Haywood Christian Ministry
- Western North Carolina's largest food pantry, based in the Waynesville area.
- The group is distributing food on the ground and requesting donations to help with the emergency disaster response.
- For info and to donate, go here.
Diaper Bank: Babies Need Bottoms - Asheville
- Donations of wipes, diapers, and rash cream are needed immediately.
- The organization is on the ground already and distributes to local families plus partner charities that serve families and babies.
- 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
- The organization itself 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.
Asheville Humane Society
- AHS plans to set up five pet food distribution sites in coordination with Manna Food Bank and other local partners. AHS is urgently seeking monetary donations to help with ongoing care.
- For further information or to donate, visit www.ashevillehumane.org or call (828) 761-2001.
Partnership for Appalachian Girls' Education (PAGE)
- The group is on the ground in Marshall. 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
- The group will be helping fund emergency home repairs for Helene victims in Madison County.
- The request is for online donations. Go here for more information or to donate.
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.
Wine to Water
- The non-profit is currently servicing Watauga and Avery counties (also hit by Helene in North Carolina) and is expanding to Asheville and Ashe County as soon as possible.
- Wine to Water distributes food, supplies, water, and hot meals. Volunteers are encouraged (go to 689 George Wilson Rd, Boone, NC, 28607).
- The group also is handing out water filters - which can safely filter water from springs and creeks for cooking and drinking. The group is also running a plastic recycling program to keep single-use plastic bottles out of the environment.
- To learn more and donate, go here.
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
- The ministry helped 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.
- To help: Donate food, clothing, or funds at abccm.org/donations/ministry-fund/.
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.
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.
- 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.
Deploying Relief, Volunteers
American Red Cross of North Carolina
- At the storm’s peak, the organization opened more than 15 shelter locations in Western North Carolina and upstate South 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
- The group is deploying to North Carolina, starting in Asheville.
- 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
- The organization is responding to the High Country (northwestern North Carolina) and eastern Tennessee. The community of Boone, where Samaritan’s Purse, is based has been deeply impacted.
- Volunteers are needed for deployment starting Sept. 30.
- Donations are accepted online. Click here for more info.
North Carolina Community Foundation
- The foundation’s disaster fund can be activated after natural disasters in the state.
- Plans and information are pending. For more information, visit the website.
Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina
- The organization plans to deliver 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
- The organization 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. Click here to fund the Hurricane Helene response.
Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+)
- The group is a non-profit arts service organization that provides craft artists with support and resources for disaster and emergency relief.
- The organization is accepting donations that will help Helene victims in WNC, where there is a dense craft-artist population.
- To learn more or donate, go here.
Water Mission
- The group is starting in Boone and 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
- The organization 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.
Updates on Western North Carolina flooding
For the latest on local news and conditions, visit Blue Ridge Public Radio's live updates blog here.
