Organizations supporting the victims of Hurricane Helene

Let's come together for each other. It's what we do best.

The images and videos in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene almost defy imagination. I’ve had so many friends and followers share personal stories and photos of their own yards and homes (or former homes) and it is beyond upsetting. So much loss. So much pain.

These are the times we can’t look at communities in need and see red or blue. I don’t care how crappy some of their elected leaders may be; they’re all people, same as us, and they need us.

When I feel helpless, I always look for the helpers or try to find a way to be one.

Check out one of these organizations I’ve put together with the help of lots of readers, and see if you can kick in a few bucks — which is what people in crisis need most in these early days and weeks.

Photo: Diaper Bank of North Carolina

If you want to send food, clothing, or supplies, or you are local and can drop it off to a trusted org, please be sure that you are sending exactly what is being requested to the right people; just know that sometimes material donations can create more work and can’t always get to people in need quickly.

Cash really is best if you want to help.

If money is tight, you can support these organizations by sharing this list or using your social channels to tag them and amplify their work.

Not every organization here will be right for everyone but I hope one is a good fit for you.

World Central Kitchen is Chef Jose Andres’s food relief organization, and I am proud to support them monthly. They were on the ground in Steinhatchee, FL less than 12 hours after Hurricane Helene hit, and are now serving chef-created meals across the impacted states. (As I was writing this, they also asked for volunteers in FL, GA, and NC for now.)

Team Rubicon is an extraordinary organization of volunteer veterans, first responders and other trained civilians. Their “Greyshirts” are on the ground supporting US communities hit by disasters in truly meaningful ways. In fact by Sept 25, they had already deployed into Florida in preparation for essential route clearance.

North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children accepts direct donations earmarked for local disaster relief, to replace clothing, basic necessities, and school supplies so that students and educators will have what they need when they can be back in school.

Mutual Aid Disaster Relief is an excellent way to donate, because your money will go straight to impacted communities through networks of local volunteers and organizations. You can also purchase items from their Amazon wishlists, or Venmo @ MutualAidDisasterRelief.

Red Cross of North Carolina is accepting donations and allows you to specify that your money go directly to the NC communities impacted by Helene.

Reach Out Worldwide was founded by Paul Walker to assemble small groups of skilled first responders including those in the construction and medical fields to support local ops during disasters. They are on the ground in Western NC clearing roads, removing debris, working with local FDs to assist with search and rescue operation, and are next deploying to Florida and Georgia.

BeLoved Asheville is a local organization that’s doing everything from delivering food to checking on loved ones and lending working phones to reconnect families. They are asking for Venmo and PayPal contributions that they can access immediately.

Diaper Bank of North Carolina is on the ground providing essential hygiene supplies — not just baby diapers but period products, adult incontinence supplies, and formula. They do suggest holding a diaper drive but in the short term, direct donations help them most.

Pinnacle Search and Rescue (Originally the Cajun Navy) started as a group of of Louisiana volunteers rescuing stranded victims during Katrina. They now support neighboring states with flood relief, and you can follow their work in NC through frequent Facebook page updates.

Animal Search and Rescue is saving animals and reuniting pets with their humans in North Carolina, in partnership with local shelters and humane societies. Follow their work on Instagram.

Asheville Humane Society has partnered up with Forsyth Humane Society and Bissell Pet Foundation to deliver supplies and food to pets in crisis. You can donate directly or through Bissell.

Convoy of Hope is a humanitarian, faith-based organization feeding kids around the world. They are on the ground in Perry, Florida, distributing groceries, water, and hygiene supplies. Perry was hit hard by Hurricanes Idalia and Debby before Helene.

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation established a nondenominational Emergency Relief Fund to support their neighbors across the state, and they are absorbing all administrative costs so that 100% provides aid to whoever is in need.

Donate directly to shelters provided by local churches, schools and community centers. This is a link to North Carolina shelters but certainly all impacted states counties can use support.

GoFundMe has a verified list of Helene fundraisers vetted through their Trust & Safety team. It is currently 92 pages long and growing, which is… a lot.

If you or someone you love is in need, find a list of emergency management contacts by state here.

Finally:

Events like this make me more grateful for the work of Climate Action Network, a nonprofit you might consider supporting over the long term.

We might also think a little more about the importance of National Weather Service reports and alerts remaining a free public service, and why it’s essential not to dismantle the NOAA or to reverse U.S. climate policy. It’s a matter of urgent public safety.

After what we’ve all seen this week, I can’t imagine the alternative.