Here’s how you can help people impacted by Hurricane Helene

People wait to gather water at Mountain Valley Water in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in West Asheville, N.C., Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins) (Jeffrey Collins)

Hurricane Helene roared through six states last week, leaving a 500-mile path of devastation in its wake.

Over 100 people have been reported dead, millions are without power, and entire communities have been washed away. North Carolina has been hit particularly hard and has the highest death toll of affected states.

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Houstonians know firsthand the mental and financial toll these powerful storms can take. As Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee begin the recovery process, generous donations have been pouring in, including a $1 million dollar donation from the Houston Texans.

We’ve made a list of reputable charities you can donate to that are providing support.

Across the Southeast

  • All Hands and Hearts

This organization is run entirely by volunteers and works side by side with residents to rebuild schools, homes and other infrastructure. You can donate to their Hurricane Helene fund here.

  • Americares

This charity provides medical aid and supplies to impacted communities. You can donate to Americares here.

  • Catholic Charities

Local Catholic Charities Agencies are on the ground providing life-sustaining assistance across the Southeast. 100% of donations go to helping survivors recover. You can donate here.

  • CARE

This nonprofit is headquartered in Atlanta and is collecting money to buy essential supplies and provide support for families in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. the group is primarily focused on assisting women and girls. Donations can be made here.

  • GoFundMe

The fundraising platform has created the Hurricane Relief Fund to deliver cash grants directly to those impacted by hurricanes in the U.S. GoFundMe has raised over $260,000 as of this writing. You can donate to the relief fund here.

  • Operation Airdrop

This nonprofit was founded after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Operation Airdrop sends volunteer pilots to the hardest-hit areas that first responders can’t reach, delivering lifesaving supplies. You can donate to this effort here.

  • Operation BBQ Relief

Hot barbecue meals are being given out across the region to people displaced by Helene. You can help provide a meal here.

  • Operation Blessing

This group works in tandem with local churches and emergency management to bring clean water, food, medicine and more supplies to people with immediate needs in disaster areas. You can donate here.

  • The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has sent teams of volunteers across the region to provide food, water, shelter, as well as emotional support to survivors and first responders. You can donate here.

  • Samaritan’s Purse

Samaritan’s Purse has thousands of volunteers providing emergency aid to victims across Helene’s path. You can donate here.

  • Southern Smoke Foundation

The Southern Smoke Foundation was founded by James Beard award-winning chef Chris Shepherd, who also hosts KPRC 2′s Eat Like a Local. The foundation provides assistance for people who work in the service industry who have been affected by a natural disaster. “From farmers to fry cooks, servers to sommeliers, Southern Smoke takes care of our own by putting dollars directly into the pockets of food and beverage workers when it’s needed most,” said Shepherd. To donate, visit the Southern Smoke website here.

Florida

  • Second Harvest of the Big Bend

Hurricane Helene first made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area and caused widespread damage. Second Harvest is one of Feeding America’s emergency food distribution centers in Florida. You can donate to help provide food and water to Big Bend residents here.

  • United Way of the Big Bend

This charity assists with both short-term and long-term recovery efforts by donating to food banks and disaster relief agencies in the region. You can help by donating here.

  • Community Foundation of North Florida

This group coordinates with local nonprofits to help organize volunteers in the Big Bend area to deliver supplies. Donations to their disaster relief fund can be made here. Money not used for Helene will remain in the fund to be used for future disasters.

Georgia

  • Georgia Baptist Mission Board

Churches and volunteers across the state are working with this program to provide disaster relief and help with infrastructure costs. You can donate here.

  • Caring for Others, Inc.

This charity has activated its ‘All Hands Mission’, partnering with Convoy of Care to provide relief efforts and supplies. You can donate to this mission here.

North Carolina

  • Baptists on Mission

Baptists on Mission is on the ground right now in North Carolina providing meals to residents. They are also setting up recovery sites across the state. You can donate here.

  • Cajun Navy 2016

The Cajun Navy are well known in Texas. They helped rescue Houstonians during Hurricane Harvey and were in the Liberty area in May to assist with rescue efforts there. Search and rescue teams are now in Asheville performing wellness checks and delivering supplies. You can donate here.

  • North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund

The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund will give donations to nonprofits on the ground providing food, water, cleaning supplies and other urgent supplies to survivors. Donations can be made here.

South Carolina

  • The One SC Fund

This relief fund is raising money for nonprofits assisting with disaster relief in South Carolina. According to the One SC Fund website, 99% of all money donated will be granted to local nonprofits providing disaster relief and recovery. The remaining 1% will be directed to outreach, research, reporting, and the administration and oversight of grant contracts. You can donate here.

Tennessee

  • The Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund

Organized by the East Tennessee Foundation, this fund provides disaster grants to nonprofits assisting Tennessee’s most impacted areas. You can donate here.

Virginia

  • United Way of Southwest Virginia

United Way of Southwest Virginia (UWSWVA) is raising money for first responders and for long-term recovery efforts in Southwest Virginia. You can donate here.

  • Feeding Southwest Virginia

Feeding Southwest Virginia is delivering water and family food boxes across seven counties in Southwest Virginia. They are working with multiple nonprofits and are asking for help to stock their shelves. You can donate here.


About the Author
Faith Braverman headshot

Faith Braverman has been working in journalism for over ten years. After starting out in Washington, D.C. she's now back in Houston. Faith wears many hats at KPRC 2, writing for broadcast, digital, and tracking down interesting stories. She is also a proud mom, autism advocate, Astros fan, and corgi enthusiast. Email tips to fbraverman@kprc.com

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