Hurricane Helene Relief & Recovery Resources
Many state and regional governmental and nonprofit organizations are collecting donations and mobilizing teams to help our friends and neighbors in Western NC who have been severely impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Please see the compiled list of ways to help and contribute below, and feel free to reach out to Info@VisitGreenvilleNC.com to share info on other ways to help that we can share with everyone. #NCStrong
At this time it is encouraged for people not to travel in or to Western North Carolina, with all roads to be considered closed and non-emergency travel prohibited due to impassable or destroyed roadways, and closures in place to help rescue, recovery, and relief efforts. Please visit DriveNC.Gov for updates.
Also, stay tuned to Visit North Carolina Travel Advisories for Western NC as the recovery process continues.
Please consider making a financial or needed material donation, volunteering locally, and/or donating blood.
Donate:
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North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund at NC.Gov/Donate. Governor Roy Cooper is encouraging donations for the fund. Donations for the fund will go to nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of people needing food and water, cleaning supplies and other emergency supplies.
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The Community Fund of Western North Carolina has created a fund to help aid those affected by Helene.
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United Way has created a fund to help those affected by Helene. Find out more and donate via their website.
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American Red Cross - You can visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a financial donation. People can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation. Individuals in unaffected areas are being asked to donate blood and platelets now to help ensure patients continue to have access to lifesaving blood. If you need to find a shelter, there is a link for active Red Cross shelters and a page devoted to reuniting loved ones.
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The Salvation Army is accepting donations and mobilizing disaster response teams. Donate and find out more on their website.
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Operation Airdrop coordinating and collecting money, donations, and volunteers, as well as aircraft access to assist in relief efforts.
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GoFundMe has launched a hub for Helene relief that includes some North Carolina fundraisers.
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Humane Society of the United States- Hurricane Helene Response
Volunteer: (as conditions and locations allow)
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Baptists on a Mission- Volunteers are putting teams together to serve those affected in North Carolina as conditions allow. The group is accepting donations and looking for volunteers.
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Samaritan’s Purse- With headquarters in Boone, they are currently scheduling volunteers to help homeowners with the destruction in the city. Find out how you can help.
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North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster list or find a group to volunteer with. There is also a national directory with organizations that are helping.
If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs, please email helenedonations@buncombecounty.org. If you want to volunteer, please email helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org.
Seeking Info on Locating Loved Ones, Shelter, Food, or Financial Assistance and other Resources after a Disaster:
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USA.gov/Hurricane-Helene- for information about financial assistance and housing following a disaster
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American Red Cross- for a list of shelters that are open
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ReadyNC.gov- for a list of shelters that are open
The Foster Family Alliance of North Carolina
FFA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster caregivers and providers statewide, and is currently working to provide immediate aid to those who have lost everything.
Some of the ways FFA is providing tangible relief include:
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water
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food
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hotels
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formula
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gas gift cards
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other needs as identified
Get more information on their website.
Things to Remember When Donating
Disaster officials remind you that if you want to donate, do it through a disaster relief organization or the government. They publish lists of needed items.
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Only give items when they are requested
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Only give items that are on the list of requested items
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Do not send items directly to the affected area
DisasterAssistance.gov provides information about finding loved ones. You can also get information on this through the Red Cross.
Health Needs
If you are in a personal crisis and need someone to talk with, you can call the Crisis Line at 988. If you are not in an immediate crisis, but need someone to talk with, you can call the North Carolina Warm Line: 1-855-733-7762.
LME/MCOs, or Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations, are the best contacts for most mental health and developmental disability services. See a county-by-county list.
For Help Locating Someone
NC 211 is an information and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina and supported by local United Ways and public and private partners.
Calling NC 211 after Helene passes: Lifeline helps with disaster response, resources
People trying to connect with family members can call NC 211 or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out-of-state. People can also call those numbers to report missing loved ones.
WRAL News has begun compiling a list of people who are safe. You can see that full list by clicking here.
Tourism, Hospitality & Arts Relief Resources:
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NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund- is being run through the North Carolina Arts Foundation to provide funding and assistance to artists and arts organizations affected by Hurricane Helene.
- Southern Smoke Foundation Emergency Relief assist Food & Beverage workers with funds to pay for essentials like groceries, clothing, and medications, and have covered the cost of rent, natural disaster damages, lost wages, and more.
Greenville-Pitt County Donation Drop Off Locations & Local Relief Efforts:
The Pitt County Sherriff's Office located at 100 New Hope Road in Greenville is accepting donations of water, non-perishable food, etc. Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm to be distributed to Western NC.
Native Fine Diner and Julep Contemporary Kitchen- Chef/Owner Lucas Owens will donate the proceeds from dinner service at both locations through October 5th to various relief organizations helping in Western NC.
Uptown Brewing Company- Proceeds from their Uptoberfest beers will go to hurricane relief efforts in Western NC. And they are a drop off location for relief supplies.
The Boulevard Hair Company in Greenville and Prints and Plaids in Winterville will be accepting donations for distribution through Operation Airdrop to Concord, NC and then Western NC communities in need. Drop off times are Monday - Friday from 10am to 5pm, and Saturday from 10am - 3pm.
Blue Barn Design Company has designed and is selling Western North Carolina stickers with proceeds benefiting WNC relief organizations.
The City of Greenville will host a Donation Drive at their 250th Anniversary First Friday on Fifth Street Celebration on Friday, October 4 from 5pm to 8pm at Five Points Plaza in Downtown Greenville.
The Farmville Police Department along with Farmville EMS and Fire Department are accepting and collecting supplies at the Farmville Police Department and Farmville EMS drop off locations from 8am to 8pm. Items that are needed are on the attached flyer.
Please feel free to reach out to Visit Greenville, NC with any other local donation drop off locations, relief efforts, or other ways the Greenville-Pitt County community can help our friends and neighbors in Western NC.
*This list of resources was compiled from information shared by NC Tripping, WRAL, and various other organizations and individuals around the state and locally in their efforts to assist in Hurricane Helene relief efforts for Western NC.
WE NC Header Image Credit: Discover Jackson, NC
