Rapid Response Resources: Hurricane Helene
As tragic reports are coming in from partners across the Southeast U.S., we’re witnessing in real time the devastating toll of climate crises on our communities, impacting our very own ecosystem of movement partners in Florida, Georgia, Western North Carolina, and Eastern Tennessee. Hurricane Helene has already taken the lives of hundreds, and millions more are in need of immediate help after losing their homes, access to power, and meeting other basic needs. Through WDN, we’ve prioritized climate justice as a key issue to mobilize resources around and will continue to do so.
In times of crisis, we lean on each other and the power of our network to get the support, resources, and information we need to meet the moment. Through our network of members and local grantee partners, we’ve compiled a list of current resources, mutual aid opportunities, and calls to action from our grantee partners. Our collective giving makes our resources–no matter how big or small- move faster and further than they can on their own. We hope you’ll consider the following organizations as a guide for anyone interested in supporting locally impacted communities. As information constantly changes, please follow the leadership of grantee partners on the ground and contact the noted organizations directly to learn more.
List of where to donate, organize, and other ways to support:
FUND
- Organizing Resilience
- North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
- North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund (NCCF)
- Appalachian Helene Response Fund
- Beloved Asheville
- Mutual Aid Disaster Relief – MADR is a 501c3 organization and collection of organizations working together to distribute life-saving supplies (emergency water, non-perishable food, blankets, medical supplies, etc.) following disasters. They can field and redistribute larger donations through the link above but encourage smaller donations go directly to the on-the-ground organizations listed below.
- Hurricane Helen Response Fund – Lifted up by our friends at Project South, this fund is collecting funds to redistribute among mutual aid groups supporting flood victims. Donate via the link above.
- Appalachian Medical Solidarity (Venmo: AppMedSolid) – A community-run mutual aid organization focusing on the Appalachian Mountains lifted up by Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson. Please put “flood support” in the note for your donation. They are focusing on Buncombe County in NC, where over 6,000 are currently reported missing.
- Footprint Project – A movement-trusted organization that provides cleaner energy for communities in crisis. They are on the ground now in NC helping set up solar powered generators for disabled people with electrical medical needs, heading to more rural places in the coming days. Donate through this link.
- Open Air Drop – This trusted organization is coordinating goods delivery via airdrop. They need donations, and also members with access to planes are encouraged to support delivery efforts. Please click the “fly with us” link on the website linked above.
- PODER Emma – A member of our movement partner organization Right to the City Alliance, PODER Emma organizes with folks in the largely Latinx Emma neighborhood and mobile home park in Asheville for community ownership, and development without displacement. Donate here to support this 501c3 organization.
- Food Not Bombs (Venmo: Mskatonic138, Venmo: GNVFNB2023) – Several FL chapters of longtime community mutual aid organization FNB are focusing support efforts on Taylor County, St. Petersburg, and Gainesville.
- BeLoved Asheville (Venmo: BeLoved-Asheville) – A community-run mutual aid organization based in Asheville, NC lifted up by Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson supporting folks in one of the hardest hit urban areas.
