Guide to Hurricane Helene Resources and Needs for Rural Communities

Thanks to Kimberly Fetherston (@kim.outdoors) for helping to build this list of resources.

By now we all know that Hurricane Helene wreaked absolute havoc throughout the Southeastern United States, with the mountainous regions of North Carolina and Tennessee getting hit viciously hard. And while the true extent of the damage has yet to be fully recognized, the devastation reaches from the larger cities to AT towns like Hot Springs, to the most rural stretches where people still haven’t been reached by vehicle or helicopter.

There is also a good bit of misinformation going around regarding FEMA and other government aid, resource access, and who exactly is doing what. And even the good information can be hard to come by — phone and internet connections are still widely unreliable and even if you want to help, it can be hard to find a focal point.

Organizations in North Carolina are sending hikers in on foot with backpacks full of supplies, hoping to reach homes and potential missing persons inaccessible by road or air. The water is largely undrinkable without treatment, and both Sawyer and Lifestraw have commenced bulk donations of thousands of filters. Finally, because of the instability of the roads, FEMA is asking that donations only be distributed by authorized groups, and for all others to “consider all roads closed.”

We’ve also compiled a list of grassroots organizers, rural-focused aid, and calls for supplies in the hopes it might make it easier for people looking to support this region. We will keep adding to this list as information and needs cross our path, and if you are a brand or organization looking to make a bulk donation of supplies or help with resources or with a monetary donation, feel free to drop us an email and we can help point you in the right direction. 

Here are the updates we have as of now, in addition to our original list of ways to help and last week’s fundraiser (thank you!) for hurricane relief. If you have a smaller grassroots organization and effort and would like to be included, please email us. 

Information

Resource Guide: Use this first. This guide is being continually updated with where to send items, needs, and current conditions. If you can, share with people asking these same questions so information can be consistent and consolidated. 

Appalachian Voices Information Guide: Another excellent list of links and additional information compiled by Appalachian Voices. 

Hurricane Helene Info WNC: Organized by leaders of French Broad River Academy, getting aid and supplies to the more remote and isolated parts of the region where people can’t easily get out to access supplies.

Tricities Mutual Aid: A grassroots community effort to organize information related to community needs in the wake of Hurricane Helene in eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, and southeastern Virginia.

Supply Needs

Photo: Manna FoodBank.

Western NC Needs Spreadsheet: This is continually being updated with what type of supplies are needed and who is looking. This sheet is for people helping coordinate drops from organizations in areas outside of Western NC to get supplies in Western NC. This sheet helps organizers of donation points to know exactly when donation requests come in and where donations should be sent.

Manna Food Bank: This Asheville food bank has a food distribution schedule for people in the area and is accepting monetary donations as well as food donations and volunteer hours. The most needed items are shelf-stable foods, canned goods that don’t require a can opener, bottled water, baby formula, toddler food, and diapers. 

Looking for Outdoor Gear Donations from Brands: There is a high level of need for outdoor equipment and bulk donations from outdoor brands. Many brands have already been contributing, so thank you! Gear needed includes first aid kits, water filters, solar showers, headlamps, cookstoves, waders, durable, waterproof, protective gear, backpacking food, and fuel. If you are a gear rep or brand or retail outlet who can make a donation and aren’t sure where to start, we can help coordinate.

Hike Supplies Into Rural Areas: If you would like to hike supplies to areas that are not currently accessible by road or if you would like to volunteer beyond the filter distribution, please reach out to hurricanehelenewnc.com. This grassroots recovery effort is utilizing the local community and outdoor enthusiasts to provide assistance to hard-hit areas.

Backcountry Cavalry: This is a volunteer organization that mobilizes hikers, backpackers, and individuals with unique outdoor skills to support the long-term recovery needs of rural communities affected by natural disasters. Their volunteers are equipped to handle challenging terrain and conditions, providing assistance where traditional responders might face difficulties, and are offering their aid and resources for the more remote communities and ongoing recovery efforts.

Do You Need Two-Way Radios:? Email [email protected] with the subject line: Hurricane Helene Radio Donations.

Sawyer Filters and Water Purification: Jennifer Pharr Davis is working directly with Sawyer, which is distributing 10,000 filters to the region. The majority have already reached the area through airdrops and ground transportation and are being distributed by large-scale efforts. The crew is expecting 900 filters to arrive in Asheville on Monday, October 7th and will be distributing filters once they’re on the ground.

Inquiries about filters can be sent to [email protected]. If your group is already scheduled to receive filters, please email them to let them know if you can arrange pick-up in downtown Asheville or if you need the filters dropped off at your location. If you request a drop-off, please send the appropriate address and times for delivery. If you are working for a local group or organization and would like to place a request for 50 filters or less, please let them know. Their shipment will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

Additionally, if you are working for a larger recovery organization, town, or county and would like to request over 50 filters, please reach out to [email protected]

Send old headlamps and battery packs to Marion Outdoors: Send your fully-charged, can-hold-a-charge flashlights, battery banks, and headlamps to Marion Outdoors, 208 E Main St. Marion, VA 24354 along with charging cables if you have one to spare. Cleaning supply donations are also welcome.

First Aid Collective Knoxville: Knoxville, Tennessee-based org accepting donations of supplies to be distributed in smaller, more isolated communities in Tennessee and North Carolina that were affected by Helene (including Erwin, Tennessee). Those who don’t live in Knoxville can earmark orders for pickup by FACK at the Maynardsville Pike Tractor Supply.

Fuel Goods / Pressio Fundraiser: Fuel Goods and Pressio just officially announced their collective relief effort for outdoor and endurance businesses in Western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. “Together We Rise” is a fundraiser for the 828 Endurance Community to support their struggling neighbors, with the campaign aiming to sell 1,000 custom-designed shirts to support local businesses that service the Western North Carolina endurance hub. 

Financial Donations

Uncle Johnny’s Hostel in the aftermath of Helene. Terry Wise photo.

North Carolina Relief Fund: You can donate online or by mail. This organization is accepting contributions for hurricane damage, which will help with aid distribution, supplies, and on-the-ground resources. 

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County: United Way is working with its own expansive network to raise funds, goods, and in-person volunteers to support community groups and partners in the region.

Hope Mill Inc: In the past week this organization has completed over 400 aid operations to the harder-to-reach areas and for at-risk victims. Aid includes reaching diabetic patients with insulin, medication to infants, and helping with extraction efforts for elderly residents. They update frequently on their page. 

WNC Regional Livestock Center: This livestock center is helping farms and ranches and putting forth a tremendous amount of effort to distribute supplies. They need chicken scratch, chick grower, goat feed, sheep feed, step-in T posts, solar chargers, and horse tape. Monetary donations are immensely helpful as well. 

Virginia Emergency Relief Fund: Funds donated to this government agency go directly to Virginia’s resources

East Tennessee Action Fund: Funds donated to this nonprofit go directly to Eastern Tennessee

Friends of Hot Springs:  The AT’s cherished trail town is still in dire need of resources, and there are plenty of people living in rural, hard-to-reach places. If you donate here, please specify on the donation page that it’s for hurricane relief

Help Marshall: Marshall is a rural town next to Hot Springs and is experiencing massive damage. Donations sent here go directly to the town’s efforts. 

Emily Wood: On the ground in Hot Springs and Marshall to bring in supplies like boots, fuel, wheelbarrows, first aid, sanitation supplies. (Venmo is @emily-wood-180, verified by The Trek) 

Emily Pickelhaupt: On the ground in Asheville dispersing funds to smaller GoFundMe organizers and also purchasing gas cans, potable water, and emergency items. (Venmo is @Emily-Pickelhaupt, verified by The Trek) 

Team Rubicon: Responding to Helene-related emergencies in Milton, this organization is helping sort through the debris and distribute aid.

Buncombe County Rescue: Search and rescue team based out of Buncombe County, North Carolina

Linville Central Rescue: Search and rescue team based out of Avery County, North Carolina

Blue Ridge Public Radio Western North Carolina Aid List: Links to organizations collecting donations in WNC specifically.

Damascus Strong Direct Fund: The town of Damascus, Virginia is fundraising directly to support what will be a prolonged recovery process. You can specify if you want your donation to go toward the Direct Fund, Virginia Creeper Trail, Downtown, or Emergency Services.

Damascus Diner Employees Fund: The management of the Damascus Diner has started a GoFundMe to support employees of the diner, Main Street Coffee and Cream, and Wilson’s (all owned by the same person), as the businesses will remain closed for an unforeseen time.

Feeding SWVA: A food pantry program with distribution centers in Abingdon (near Damascus) and Salem (near Roanoke), Virginia. Accepting financial donations, or you can host your own food drive.

Erwin Recovery GoFundMe: Local 501(c)(3) nonprofit RISE is organizing a fundraiser to directly aid families in need and support recovery efforts.

Hostel Rebuilding Funds: These fundraisers will aid AT hiker hostels that sustained heavy damage due to Helene:

• Uncle Johnny’s
• Mountain Harbour
• Appalachian Station (formerly Station at 19E)

Mountain Mule Packer Ranch: This North Carolina ranch has been mobilizing its team of mules to pack critical supplies into communities that have been cut off by road damage in the aftermath of Helene.

Asheville and Western North Carolina Hairdresser’s Fund: A fund by and for WNC hairdressers to support them while they’re out of work and help them rebuild/relocate their salons

One SC Fund: South Carolina statewide fund to provide grant money to local nonprofits.

Augusta University Cares: Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia is working to connect community members in need with local resources while also soliciting volunteers and donations (money and supplies) for recovery efforts.

Red Cross: Red Cross is one of the largest humanitarian organizations in America and is working to provide food, shelter, supplies, and cleanup.

How You Can Help

BeLoved Asheville: This organization is sending hikers into the more inaccessible areas, packing supplies in backpacks. If you have a backpacking pack, headlamp, and want to donate time or supplies, please drop items at 32 Old Charlotte Highway 28803. They are also looking for larger-scale donations for outdoor supplies like fuel, stoves, backpacking food, headlamps, 70L backpacks, waders, durable / waterproof apparel, satellite phones, solar showers, gaiters, muck boots, and first aid.

Operation Airdrop: Volunteer opportunities to get supplies to the people who still need them most.

Appalachian Preservation Project: A solid compilation of more organizations and ways to donate

Samaritan’s Purse: This faith-based organization is recruiting volunteers to help with cleanup and roof tarping in communities affected by Helene. Financial contributions are also hugely helpful.

All Hands and Hearts: Actively recruiting volunteers for Helene response. Current efforts are focused on debris cleanup, hazardous tree removal, and damage assessment, but the organization expects to have volunteers on the ground in the southeast for months to come and the work focus will likely shift over time.

Cajun Navy: Louisiana-based organization that assists agencies with disaster relief, helping with everything from debris cleanup to search and rescue. Seeking supplies, cash donations, and volunteers. See their Helene supplies wishlist here.

Operation Barbecue Relief: Providing hot meals to those affected by disasters. Seeking both volunteers and financial donations.

World Central Kitchen: WCK serves freshly made meals to people affected by disasters and is on the ground now in the southeast. Donations go toward all current relief efforts.

Civilian Crisis Response Team: Less direct than other orgs, but this operation is a trained group of civilian volunteers who help people in communities during emergencies and crises.

Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort: Collecting and delivering essential supplies to affected areas. This organization seeks volunteers at its Nashville, TN warehouse to organize and pack supplies, as well as financial donations, but requests that you do not directly donate supplies.

Operation Blessing: Teams on the ground in Georgia and Asheville, NC for immediate and long-term disaster response needs.