Hurricane Relief
In our efforts to aid those impacted by Hurricane Helene, we have compiled a list of resources for those with specific needs. Read below to connect with organizations aiding in hurricane relief!
Accepting Physical Donations:
Henderson County:
118 McAbee Court, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Habitat for Humanity Warehouse:
141 Duke St., Forest City NC 28043
United Cajun Navy
220 Old Mill Road, Elk Park, NC
Western NC Regional Livestock Center
424 Stock Drive, Canton, NC 28716
The contact there is Kat Dortenzo — (248) 459-5651
Transylvania Tomorrow Hurricane Helene Relief
Donate here
Equine Housing, Supplies & Transport
Apply for micro grants from Fleet of Angels here
FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center):
Accepting evacuated horses. Call 828-859-9021
To support equestrian families distressed by recent hurricanes, Brooke USA has activated its Hurricane Relief Fund and launched an emergency campaign with 100% of the monies raised allocated to partner organizations. Brooke USA is focused on helping more people and animals receive the lifesaving support they deserve. Gifts to Brooke USA allow for efficient response to these emergencies with dedicated funds to each organizational partner.
EQUUS Foundation is 100% dedicated to the dual mission of protecting America's horses from peril and strengthening the bond between people and horses. Organizations belonging to the EQUUS Foundation Guardians may apply for micro-grant emergency support through the Brooke USA Bridge Grants, or if not an EQUUS Foundation Guardian, contact EQUUS Foundation at mail@equusfoundation.org.
Equestrian Aid Foundation:
Help is available for horse people through the Equestrian Aid Foundation. EAF’s disaster relief grants are intended to help horse people in crisis with their own personal essentials as they figure out next steps. Some examples of our DRF grant recipients include a trainer/farm owner who (in addition to substantial farm damage/hay loss) lost all of her family’s personal groceries when the power was out, a judge/trainer whose entire house was swept away, and a farrier who lost much of the equipment he needs to make a living. Apply for help at bit.ly/EAFhelene.
Financial Donations:
In no particular order. We encourage you to give to the cause(s) that inspire you!
Thermal Belt Outreach:
Outreach is a private 501c3 organization that serves Polk County NC neighbors in need. Services available include Financial and Food Assistance, Home Repair, Veteran Services, Shelter Assistance, and more. Donate at this link
Força Foundation:
The Força Foundation is a local WNC 501c3 organization, and all donations are tax deductible. Families in need will be helped one at a time, with applications open now. Financial donations are needed! Text NCSTRONG to 53555 or donate at this link
Restore Lake Lure:
“Restore Lake Lure” is the only fundraising campaign dedicated to the clean-up and restoration of the lake itself and championed by local community leaders. The three main initiatives of the campaign are boat retrieval, debris removal and water quality restoration. Donate to the restoration of Lake Lure here.
Babies Need Bottoms:
Since 2017, Babies Need Bottoms diaper bank has worked in partnership with community based organizations to provide diapering supplies for families facing diaper need in Western North Carolina. Donate at this link
Fleet of Angels:
Fleet of Angels has been called "the most responsive national go-to organization in the country" for helping horse owners and small rescues when they need urgent assistance after being devastated by a natural disaster or other major emergency. Our goal is to keep horses safe and in good care so they can stay with their loving families and equine friends. By providing a combination of grants and services, Fleet of Angels provides qualified applicants with whatever is needed to provide a solution to temporary challenges to give owners more time to find long term solutions. No other equine-centric nonprofit in the country laser-focuses its resources on the mission of providing grants and critical services to both private owners and small rescues to help their horses through crises. Donate at this link
World Central Kitchen:
Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises. Applying our model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 400 million nourishing meals around the world. When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need. By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of local restaurants, food trucks, and emergency kitchens, WCK serves comforting meals to survivors of disasters quickly and effectively. To support regional economies, WCK prioritizes purchasing local ingredients to cook with or distribute directly to families in need. Donate at this link
DONATE FUNDS VIA CHECK:
If you are interested in making a financial contribution to recovery efforts, you may write a check to the Green River Foundation and mail to 4066 Pea Ridge Road, Mill Spring, NC 28756 with "Hurricane Helene relief" in the memo. 100% of your donation will go to the relief efforts in Polk, Rutherford, Henderson and Buncombe Counties in North Carolina and Spartanburg County, South Carolina. We will work with location agencies for that distribution. 100% of the contribution will be tax deductible.
Medical Volunteers
Register with NCDHHS here and you will be contacted!
Disaster Response
FEMA Helpline: CALL 1-800-621-3362
General Emergency Management Information from FEMA: https://www.fema.gov/
FEMA Español: https://www.fema.gov/es
FEMA NC Referrals (Local & State): https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/disaster-survivors/state-local-referral-lists/north-carolina
US Disaster Assistance: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
NC Extension Disaster info: https://ncdisaster.ces.ncsu.edu/
North Carolina Emergency Management: CALL 1-919-825-2500
ReadyNC: https://www.readync.gov/
NC DEQ—Situation Report Tracking System: https://www.deq.nc.gov/news/deq-dashboard
SBA Disaster Assistance: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
United Methodist Disaster Ministries: https://nccumc.org/disaster/, CALL 1-919-779-6115
Baptists on Mission: https://baptistsonmission.org/, CALL 1-800-395-5102 ext.5596
American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief/hurricane-relief/hurricane-helene.html
Community Relief
Emberglow Outdoor Resort - basecamp for relief workers and access to hot showers, hot food, water sources, etc.: https://emberglowoutdoorresort.com/hurricane-helene/
Shelters
Emergency Shelters List from ReadyNC: https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/open-shelters
Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church
252 N. Washington Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
Small Business Resources
MountainBizWorks — loans for small businesses: mountainbizworks.org/helene/fund
Environmental
NC DEQ—Report Environmental Emergency: CALL 1-800-858-0368
NC Forest Service: https://www.ncforestservice.gov/managing_your_forest/damage_recovery.htm
NC State Historic Preservation Office: https://www.hpo.nc.gov/restoration-services/disaster-preparedness-and-response, CALL 1-919-814-6570
Restore Lake Lure: https://www.restorelakelure.com
Agricultural
NC Dept of Ag Emergency Services: https://www.ncagr.gov/emergency-programs/disaster-information
National Trust for Historic Preservation: https://savingplaces.org/disaster-recovery
American Veterinary Medical Association: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergency-care/pets-and-disasters
Transportation
NCDOT: https://www.ncdot.gov/Pages/default.aspx
North Carolina Road Conditions/Closures on DriveNC: https://drivenc.gov/
Insurance
NC Dept of Insurance: https://www.ncdoi.gov/press-release-terms/disaster
NC Dept of Insurance: CALL 1-919-807-6800
Mental Health
NCDHHS Mental Health Developmental Disabilities: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mental-health-developmental-disabilities-and-substance-use-services/mental-health-disaster-preparedness
Crisis Solutions NC Mental Health: https://crisissolutionsnc.org/, CALL or TEXT 988
