The Impact of Hurricane Helene
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.
- Donate here: bit.ly/appheleneresponsefund
- 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 Disaster Relief is a grassroots network whose mission is to provide disaster relief based on the principles of solidarity, mutual aid, and autonomous direct action.
- Instagram: @mutualaiddisasterrelief
- Donate here: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/mutual-aid-disaster-relief
- Venmo: @MutualAidDisasterRelief
- Paypal: mutualaiddisasterrelief@gmail.com
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
- A list of mutual aid hubs across North Carolina can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DAeA85hPYP0/?img_index=1
- 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
- Upstate Food Not Bombs
- Venmo: @UpstateFNB
- Cashapp: $UpstateFNB
- Paypal: paypal.me/TsuK
- Mundo Hispano SC se centra en proporcionar información, ayuda y recursos a nuestra comunidad hispana en Carolina del Sur.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mundohispanosc
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
- Resources around coastal Georgia by county:
Florida
- Food Not Bombs Tallahassee is organizing in support of impacted communities in Taylor County.
- Cashapp: $fnbtally2022
- https://opencollective.com/tallahassee-food-not-bombs
Additional Resources
- Western North Carolina Helene Resource Guide: bit.ly/wncheleneguide
- Appalachian Voices – Helene Relief has more information on supply drop-off points and shelters.
- If you’re a disabled person in need, please call the Disability & Disaster Hotline
800-626-4959 - Resource list from The STAY Project: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uMN-ERc4fzGC_IoAdbbMCbVw6xl04-CsXdJeEybcUCA/edit?gid=0#gid=0
- Resource list from The Hive Fund: https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/129kYjZpT5o42ouJAkm2RJC9akMxYdVbHPYfFNrZ5Foc/mobilebasic