Hurricane Helene Relief

For Assistance and Help

The unbelievable devastation that has occurred in Western North Carolina (and beyond) has greatly affected our surrounding community. If you are looking for resources because you were impacted by Hurricane Helene or would like to help, please see below for an abbreviated list of resources and ways to help.

Note: Community Service Leave for eligible employees can be used during work hours to help. OSHR (Office of State Human Resources) will offer a temporary expansion of the Community Service Leave (CSL) policy. This expansion will allow state employees to volunteer for organized storm-related efforts coordinated by a local government entity (county or municipality) in addition to established nonprofits. Accordingly, each employee will have available an additional 16 hours (two days) of paid CSL leave specific to storm-related activities to expire on December 31, 2024. This increases the maximum amount of paid CSL leave from 24 hours to 40 hours for the remainder of 2024. Employees should obtain prior approval from their supervisor.

Monetary and Supply Donations

WCU Emergency Assistance Fund
    
    
Vecinos - Cash donations are the most needed to support food, restoration, and medical assistance for vulnerable WNC communities.
Manna Food Bank - Location in Asheville (99 Broadpointe Drive, Mills River, NC) looking for items and monetary donations. Water, clothing, and outerweat/camping supplies are not needed at this time. Most needed items: pop-top cans of fruit, vegtables, meat, beans, protein bars and healthy snacks, menstrual products, personal hygiene products, disposable paper products. To donate large (truck/semi-truck) donations please contact: donationsupplies@mannafoodbank.org.
American Red Cross - Monetary support for Hurricane Helene relief
Salvation Army of the Carolinas - Monetary support for Hurricane Helene relief
Baptists on Mission - Monetary support for Hurricane Helene relief
Hearts with Hands - Asheville donation list. Contact info@heartswithhands.org to arrange supply drop-off
Babies Need Bottoms - Purchase items off of their wishlist for families in the area who need supplies.
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue - Needs monetary donations to support animals in need.
Buncombe County Donations - If you have donations, equipment, or have questions about specific needs, please email: helenedonations@buncombecounty.org
Henderson County - To donate supplies or money
The following organizations need certain supplies in Jackson County. Drop-off at the locations on their website: Corn Bread & Roses (shelf stable items), Haywood Meals on Wheels (Pet Food), Haywood Pathways Center (Hygiene products, 13 or 30 gallon trash bags, paper products), Fusions Spa (Diapers, towels, sheets, Benadryl, winter clothes and accessories, blankets, sleeping bags)
West Yancey Fire Department - In need of supples to feed the community, rescue workers, and volunteers. Please donate: Mayonnaise, hamburger buns, foil sheets, cups/bowls with lids, mozzarella cheese, BBQ sauce, ketchup and food for the pantry including: mayonnaise packets, canned tuna/chicken/meats, shelf stable/dry milk, protien bars, protein shakes. Deliver to 6557 US 19 Burnsville, NC, 28714. 
Mercy Fund Animal Rescue - 100% volunteer foster-based rescue in McDowell County, NC looking for donations to help animals post- Helene 
WCU TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS - OCT. 19 - Donation drive hosted by the Pride of the Mountains (POTM) Marching Band in partnership with MANNA Food Bank. Please only donate these items: Shelf-stable foods/protein, pop-top canned fruits/veg, protein/breakfast bars and healthy snacks, personal hygiene products, feminine hygiene products, and disposable paper products.

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Volunteer Opportunities

Tips for volunteers for Flood Cleanup and Volunteer Safety    
    
   
American Red Cross - Volunteer opportunities for Hurricane Helene relief
Baptists on Mission - Volunteers are needed: feeding; shower and laundry; chain saw teams; tarping roofs; mudding and tearing out homes; and more. You don’t need to be trained to serve with some of these opportunities.
Samaritan's Purse - Volunteers assist homeowners affected by Hurricane Helene in Asheville NC.
Mercy Chefs - Provide hot meals to those in need and those who are volunteering.
Beloved Asheville - Seeking volunteers to distribute supplies. Updates of needs can be found on their Instagram.
Haywood Christian Ministry - Seeking volunteers in the Waynesville area.
Buncombe County Government - To volunteer, please email: helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org
Henderson County - To volunteer to help those in need
Ashley's Kitchen & Bath Distribution Site - Volunteers can go to 2950 US 70, Black Mountain, NC 28711. Get off at exit 55, Swannanoa, turn right, it's on the left about a mile and a half up, same parking lot as Pisgah Brewing. They are in need of sorters, runners, and baggers.
MAHEC Medical Shelter - Needs nurses or nursing students. Located in Asheville, NC. Contact Chelsea Rangel at crangel@wcu.edu.
First Baptist Church - Located in 130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain, NC 28711 needs nurses, social workers, and counselors. Open 9:00am - 6:00pm Mon. - Fri.
WCU Dept. of Anthropology/Sociology - Need volunteers to sort supplies and those with large vehicles to drop-off. If interested fill out this form: https://forms.gle/9cDyXePGQaqCrKpQA
WCU Graduate Student Carpool - Students are providing rides to the First Methodist Church in Waynesville (566 S. Haywood Street) to volunteer Monday - Friday 10/7-10/11. They meet at 9:00am at Hillside Grind and stay until 3:00 - 3:30 pm. Bring a full water bottle and packed lunch. Dress in study closed toed shoes and long pants.....you may get dirty!. Reach out to @wcuhelenevolunteers on Instagram, text 828.331.1684 or bhambleton1@catamount.wcu.edu. 
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County - Multiple shifts, locations, and organizations to volunteer with.
Macon County (Franklin) Gr828 WNC/Intake Distribution Center - Needs assistance with handing out supplies
Water for Waynesville/Asheville - If you have large containers to donate that can be filled with water. Please contact Scottashld@gmail.com or text/call 1-854-444-6446
Haywood Pathways Center - In need of cook team assistants. You will need to create a profile, sign a waiver, give permission for a background check, then RSVP for a date. In particular they are looking for October 16th. Volunteers help cook, serve and prepare to-go plates. 
Manna Food Bank - Looking for volunteers in their Asheville locations. You must register on their site to select a volunteer slot.
Innovation Station & Wilmington Response - Sign up for a timeslot to work at their distribution center at 653 Scotts Creek Road, Sylva, NC. When you turn on Scotts Creek Road go all the way to the back, throught he black gate, and to the end of the building. 

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Resources and Support for Hurricane Helene Victims

WCU Employee Aid FormWCU Student Aid Form

     
Jackson County - Resources for Jackson County residents 
Buncombe County - Resources for Buncombe County residents
Haywood County - Resources for Haywood County residents
Henderson County - Resources for Henderson County residents
Madison County - Resources for Madison County residents
Transylvania County - Resources for Transylvania County residents
FEMA Application - For assistance and support if you were impacted by Hurricane Helene
Pisgah Legal Service - Providing assistance to apply for FEMA aid that may provide upfront funds for emergency supplies (food/water/etc.) or funds to repair storm-related damage, and help finding a temporary place to stay. Survivors get assistance in three ways: online by visiting disasterassistance.gov, calling 800-621-3362 or on the FEMA App.
WCU Counseling and Psychological Services - For WCU students to schedule an appointment call 828-227-7469. If experiencing a crisis after hours (outside of 8:00am - 5:00pm) call 828.227.7469 and select "0" when prompted to be connected to a crisis counselor.
ComPsych Guidance Resource Program - Counseling services only available to WCU Faculty/Staff. Call 855.259.0382
Pro Bono Counseling Services - Click on the link to see a list of providers who are willing to provide free counseling.
Disaster Distress Hotline - toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service available 24/7. Call 1.800.985.5990 Español: Llama o envía un mensaje de texto 1.800.985.5990 presiona “2.”
Unemployment Assistance - If you cannot work because of Hurricane Helene you may be eligible for unemployment benefits and temporary payments.
Legal Aid of North Carolina - For help check out the resources on their website or call 866-219-5262. 

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Resources and Support for Small Businesses

Resources for Businesses - Resources for Businesses and Chambers affected by Hurricane Helene.
Haywood County Small Business - Haywood County small business recovery resources.
Grow Your Good- Consulting Firm that helps non-profits and organizations. They firm is planning to offer a "pay as you can" sliding scale for disaster response assistance to those organizations directly impacted.
Small Business Assistance Center - Providing low interest loans for businesses, nonprofits, homeowners and renters impacted by the storm. Visit their website or visit SBA representatives in person at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce (36 Montford Ave). Hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Henderson County Small Business - Hendersonville small business recovery resources.
WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund - Loans up to $100.000 to help meet immediate needs and bridge longer term relief.