Hurricane Helene has left a trail of devastation, affecting countless lives and communities. The category 4 storm left a path of destruction across six states as it tore through the Southeast in recent days. If you are looking for ways to help those impacted, here are some organizations that are aiding relief efforts:
Chef José Andrés’ nonprofit global food relief organization World Central Kitchen began serving meals less than 12 hours after Helene made landfall in Steinhatchee, Florida, a town hit hard by Helene. WCK teams are scouting in Tennessee and North Carolina to find the biggest areas of need. With many roads rendered impassable into cities like Asheville, WCK has teams in four states serving meals is exploring all options to reach isolated communities. You can learn more here.
The Salvation Army’s rapid response team began mobilizing on Friday morning to provide meals in Florida. The organization plans to continue its response efforts beyond initial relief — aiming to provide emotional and spiritual support for survivors and first responders as they recover. You can learn more here.
The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) helps bring together community-serving organizations during disasters. The organization is currently requesting that cash donations be made to state VOAD chapters in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. You can learn more here.
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is encouraging donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, set up to help residents recover from the damage. The funds will be administered by United Way of North Carolina, with the money going to nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of storm victims and clean up and emergency supplies. You can learn more here.
All Hands and Hearts, an organization formed in response to the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, aims to address the immediate and long-term needs of areas struck by natural disasters. The organization is launching a 12-month response to Hurricane Helene, hoping to raise $2 million dollars to support long-term recovery. You can learn more here.
Given the scale of destruction, this is likely the best bet for direct, wide-scale support. The Red Cross is coordinating an extensive relief effort that includes providing shelter, food, supplies, and emotional support to affected areas. The organization will also assist with damage assessment and is working to help people locate missing loved ones. You can learn more here.
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
Their Emergency and Disaster Response Fund will support recovery efforts related to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. You can learn more here.
East Tennessee Foundation: Their Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund is exclusively being used in East Tennessee to empower local nonprofits and agencies to rescue and recover communities facing devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene. You can learn more here.
East Tennessee Foundation
Their Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund is exclusively being used in East Tennessee to empower local nonprofits and agencies to rescue and recover communities facing devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene. You can learn more here.
Provides emergency cash assistance to families for their immediate daily needs (food, medicine, hygiene supplies). You can learn more here.
Provides meals for first responders and those stranded without basic necessities (they’ve set up two operations, one in FL and one in NC, in areas that were hardest hit). You can learn more here.
The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities. You can learn more here.
OCCF will continue to work with our partners to identify reputable organizations that are providing support. We will update this page with any new information.
If you are an OCCF donor and wish to give through your advised fund, please contact your philanthropic advisor or info@oc-cf.org for more information.
