The Impact of Hurricane Helene

Taylor Chapman
tchapman@g4sp.org
Posted on September 30, 2024

The full impact of Hurricane Helene on Appalachia and the Southeast is widespread and not yet fully known. Our hearts go out to all the people who have been affected by the severe winds and flooding, including our own staff, our families, and so many of you in our network and across the region. Our pain is shared. Our recovery will be too.  

Over the past few days, disaster relief and mutual aid efforts have been organized across the states impacted by the storms, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, and Kentucky. The South is no stranger to extreme weather, especially as the climate crisis intensifies. However, the geographic scale of this disaster coupled with the unimaginable loss of life and infrastructure, is something none of us were prepared to face. 

If one thing is true about Southerners, it is that we care for one another and protect our communities in times of need. At Grantmakers for Southern Progress, we are asking philanthropy to respond to this moment with that same Southern spirit. We need immediate and ongoing support for disaster relief efforts and long-term commitments made to our region. The South has been treading water for decades, but the waters are getting higher. Our safety is intertwined with yours. We have a duty to get through this together.  

Below is a list of rapid response and mutual aid funds who are channeling resources into impacted communities. Please support them.  

In solidarity,
Grantmakers for Southern Progress  

 

Below is a list of organizations and mutual aid funds who need your support. You will also find resources and information about what folks are currently experiencing on the ground, supply needs, and more.  

Funder Organizers  

  • The Appalachian Helene Response Fund is a collaborative fund organized by the Appalachian Funders Network. AFN members on the ground are already mobilizing to address the most urgent needs, and the support garnered through this fund will be pivotal in recovery efforts.
  • CoThinkk is dedicated to social change philanthropy by investing our time, talent and treasure to accelerate positive changes in communities of color in Asheville and Western North Carolina.
    • Disaster relief supplies can be delivered to 19 Eagle Street, Asheville, NC 28801

General Mutual Aid  

Mutual Aid Funds by State
This is a non-exhaustive list in no particular order. Check these groups’ social media accounts for information around supply drop-off points, donation supply lists, and for the most up-to-date news specific to the communities they serve. 

North Carolina  

  • BeLoved Asheville  
    • Instagram: @BelovedAsheville  
    • Venmo: @BeLoved-Asheville  
    • Paypal: paypal.me/BeLovedAsheville 
  • Triangle Mutual Aid  
    • Venmo: @TriangleMutualAid
    • CashApp: $TriangleMutualAid  
  • Appalachian Medical Solidarity 
    • Instagram: @AppalachianMedicalSolidarity 
    • Venmo: @AppMedSolid 
    • CashApp: $streetsidehelene
  • Democracy Green  
    • Instagram: @democracy_green  
    • To volunteer in Western NC, call: 910-813-3757  
  • Firestorm Books Co-Op  
    • Instagram: @firestormcoop  
  • Holler Harm Reduction in Madison County, NC is posting updates and organizing supply drives.  
    • Instagram: @hollerharmreduction  
  • Arts AVL is offering emergency support for creatives impacted by Hurricane Helene

South Carolina  

Kentucky  

  • East Kentucky Mutual Aid  
    • Instagram: @hillbillieshelpinghillbillies  
    • PayPal & Venmo: @ekymutualaid 
    • Cashapp: $ekymutualaid 

Tennessee  

  • Tri-Cities Mutual Aid and Solidarity Network (Tennessee & Virginia)   
    • Instagram: @tricitiesmutualaid  
  • First Aid Collective Knoxville  
    • Instagram: @firstaidcollectknox
    • Venmo: @firstaidcollectknox  

Georgia  

Florida 

 

Additional Resources