HandsOn NWNC

Updated 4/24/2025 at

Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts and Resources

We were all heartbroken by the pictures of Hurricane Helene’s devastation to our WNC neighbors and have been heartened by how our community has come together to help. However, even more than two months after landfall, there are still many needs to fill, as the road to full recovery will be a long one. As we all seek ways to continue to support those impacted by the storm,, these two key principles are still timely:

1) Cash is always better than stuff. Stuff requires storage, sorting, and distribution--which is costly in both time and money. Cash can immediately be put to use for what is most needed in the moment. Give directly to local, trusted nonprofits for the biggest impact. You’ll find a list of those organizations further down this page.

2) Do not self-deploy. We’ve curated specific volunteer opportunities and organizations that are doing important work on the ground in WNC on this page. To be effective, volunteers need to be connected to those most knowledgeable about current needs.

Where to make a monetary donation:

North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund

Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Emergency and Disaster Response Fund- supports recovery efforts related to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina

NC Association on Aging’s Hurricane Relief Fund- Is raising funds to assist older adults with their basic needs and support local aging service providers

NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund- Funding and assistance to artists and arts organizations affected by Hurricane Helene. When you donate enter the word “RELIEF” in the description for your gift.

Helene Rebuild Collaborative- mission is to build resilient communities in post-Helene Appalachia

Hunger & Health Coalition, Inc.- provides food and medicine in Boone, NC

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC- Several counties in their service area are facing severe impacts from flooding and power outages, including extensive damage to several of local food assistance partners' facilities.

Feeding the Carolinas- All 10 of their member Food Banks are working around the clock to get supplies to those most in need. Five of their member Food Banks serve areas that were hit by the storm and MANNA Food Bank, was entirely lost.

BeLoved Asheville- "BeLoved constantly is in the “eye of the storm” providing for those in need and helping us to remember the humanity in all."

United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County- supports emergency response in western North Carolina

Salvation Army- supports emergency response in western North Carolina

RedCross-supports emergency response in western North Carolina

Volunteer Needs:

Hands On Asheville has a list of available volunteer opportunities.

North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NCVOAD) has a list of available volunteer opportunities.

VolunteerNC Disaster Volunteer Opportunities- VolunteerNC is looking for volunteers to help serve our state with disaster services. Please fill out this form if you are interested. Your information will be shared with NC VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), a network of organizations that collaborate to support disaster response and recovery efforts in North Carolina. As we remain in the response phase, we kindly ask for your patience, as many of the organizations involved are still in the process of setting up their sites.

Red Cross information and where to find help and how to help:

Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

To find a shelter: redcross.org/shelter and redcross.org/refugios

To donate blood: redcross.org/blood and redcrossblood.org/espanol/donar-sangre.html

To donate: https://rdcrss.org/3TMljHa and redcross.org/donar

To volunteer: redcross.org/volunteer andredcross.org/voluntarios

Links to Social Media pages providing information and updates

NC Emergency Management Facebook Page

North Carolina Department of Transportation Facebook Page

US National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Cherokee County, NC Emergency Management Facebook Page

Haywood County Search & Rescue