Ways to donate and help flood victims in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene

The full picture of devastation is emerging from Hurricane Helene’s disastrous path through Western North Carolina.

Homes, businesses, roads, infrastructure, cell towers, and anything else in Helene’s path were washed away or severely damaged by raging flood waters and strong winds. For so many of the nearly 1 million residents in Western North Carolina’s beautiful mountains, the recovery process has barely begun.

Neighbors are trying to help one another and relief programs, both national and local, are mobilizing.

To assist the public in looking for ways to contribute, volunteer, or donate, BPR has compiled the list of resources below. We’ll keep this updated.

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

If your organization would like to be added to the list please email all relevant information to adouglas@bpr.org with the subject line “WNC Relief Program.”

Manna FoodBank in Asheville

• The organization’s warehouse was prepped prior to the storm.
• Updates will be made available via the FoodBank’s website.
• There are many ways to get involved, volunteer, and donate – including online. Go here to give money to the Manna FoodBank online.

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 available here.

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.

Salvation Army of the Carolinas

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.

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.

Updates on Western North Carolina flooding

For the latest on conditions, visit our live blog here.