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.
Hurricane Helene had a devastating impact on our neighbors here in the Southeast. Our fellow network agencies are mobilizing to assist. Consider giving to @CCharitiesUSA to help those who are suffering. https://t.co/PyAeCFxWFf
— Catholic Charities (@CathCharDoR) September 28, 2024
100% of gifts will go to support recovery efforts
- 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.
Our crews led by the best volunteers have been working around the clock to get thousands of hot BBQ meals out to those in need around Florida impacted by #Helene.
— Operation BBQ Relief (@OpBBQRelief) September 30, 2024
Want to join our volunteer family? Sign up today at https://t.co/4XB9q1ZWeb or download the "OBR Volunteers" app! pic.twitter.com/6zjFqfOe33
- 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.
Our team is continuing to support disaster response efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, but our work is far from over. Please consider rushing a donation right now to help us nourish those who need it most.
— Second Harvest of the Big Bend (@SecondHarvestBB) September 29, 2024
Give here >>> https://t.co/zubhOnVHTt pic.twitter.com/NwNl5U2WUV
- 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.
One of our feeding operations began yesterday at 1st Bapitst, Boone as volunteers from Appalachian State and the community helped with the drive through and walk up lines. Feeding sites in Marion and Arden are providing meals to be distributed by the Red Cross. pic.twitter.com/MQhI3yU8ed
— Baptists On Mission (@nc_missions) September 30, 2024
- 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.