Feeding the Carolinas: Supporting AT Trail Communities in Times of Crisis

The Appalachian Trail has long been a place of connection, weaving through many towns that hikers depend on for supplies, rest, and community. When disaster strikes these trail towns, the impact resonates not only with the locals but also with hikers who hold such strong memories and connections to these places.

Flooding from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Damascus, VA. Photo via appalachiantrail.org

Feeding the Carolinas, a hunger relief organization spanning both North and South Carolina, plays an important role in supporting these trail towns—especially in the wake of devastating events like Hurricane Helene. With a network of ten Feeding America-affiliated food banks, they provide immediate disaster relief while also addressing long-term food insecurity in these rural areas along the AT.

Trail Towns in Need

When Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast, Hot Springs, North Carolina, found itself in the eye of the storm’s aftermath. This trail town— a popular stop for AT hikers— was hit hard by flooding and road closures. With limited access to food and supplies, residents were left in a precarious situation.

Image shows severe flooding in the A.T. Community of Hot Springs, NC. Photo via hotspringsrecovery.com

This is where Feeding the Carolinas stepped in. They worked alongside local partners to ensure that food and vital supplies reached Hot Springs during a time when the town was isolated from its usual resources. By coordinating deliveries through their extensive logistics network, preparing meals, and organizing volunteers, they ensured the town’s residents were cared for in the aftermath of the storm.

Coordination in the Face of Crisis

What makes Feeding the Carolinas so effective in disaster situations like Hurricane Helene is their ability to coordinate logistics across a wide area. When the North Carolina Emergency Management Division was activated after the hurricane, Feeding the Carolinas’ team physically deployed to manage donated products, services, and funds. They worked with trusted partners, including Baptists on Mission, the Red Cross, and the Salvation Army, to ensure that resources were efficiently distributed to towns like Hot Springs.

Devastation at the Spring Creek Hotel. Photo via hotspringsrecovery.com

In trail towns, where supplies are often limited even in normal conditions, the coordination of food and resources becomes even more critical. Feeding the Carolinas understood this need and, through their partnerships, ensured the people and the communities could access the support they needed to begin recovering. 

Long-Term Resilience

Hurricane Helene wasn’t the first storm to wreak havoc on the communities along the Appalachian Trail, and it won’t be the last. Feeding the Carolinas not only responds to immediate crises but works year-round to strengthen the long-term resilience of trail towns. Their efforts to secure resources for rural areas—places often overlooked in larger relief efforts—are crucial. Through their Farm to Food Bank program, they connect local farmers to food banks, ensuring that fresh food and produce reaches vulnerable populations, including those living in remote trail towns.

Helping in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Photo via Feeding the Carolinas.

For hikers, this means that the towns they come to rely on during their journey are more likely to bounce back after disasters and continue serving as critical waypoints along the trail. Feeding the Carolinas’ commitment to long-term food security in rural communities helps ensure that, when hikers are able to return to towns like Hot Springs or Asheville, these towns will still have the resources to support them.

How You Can Help

If you want to make a difference for Appalachian Trail communities impacted by Hurricane Helene—and see something epic in the process—here’s your chance! We’re partnering with The Real Hiking Viking (aka Thomas Gathman, aka Jabba) on a unique fundraising effort for Feeding the Carolinas, a hunger-relief organization that provides vital support to towns along the AT.

Here’s how you can help and get involved:

1. Donate to the Fundraiser: Now through December 6th, any donation brings us closer to our $10,000 goal—and if we hit that target, The Real Hiking Viking will shave his iconic beard live on Backpacker Radio on December 7th. Every dollar raised goes to Feeding the Carolinas’ disaster response and ongoing efforts to fight food insecurity.
2. Join Us at the Live Event: If you’re in the Denver area, come to the Skylark Lounge on December 7th to witness the beard-shaving event in person. Meet fellow hikers, support the cause, and be part of an unforgettable moment in the AT community!
3. Enter to Win Gear: Mountainsmith is sweetening the deal by offering prizes to donors! For every $50 you contribute, you’ll be entered in a sweepstakes for incredible backpacking gear, including a Zerk 40 backpack and Andesite Trekking Poles.
4. Spread the Word: Sharing this fundraiser on social media or with your hiking groups can have a huge impact! Let people know about Feeding the Carolinas’ work and this unique opportunity to see The Real Hiking Viking like you’ve never seen him before—beardless.

By supporting Feeding the Carolinas, you’re helping the trail communities we love to stay strong and resilient. Let’s join together to make a difference and give these trail towns the support they need to rebuild!

You can read more about the fundraiser here and donate by clicking the button below!

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