If you are looking for how you can help people who Hurricane Helene has impacted, here are some suggestions for assisting:
Give Money
It’s the most efficient way to provide help. Charities often get bulk discounts, giving them more buying power for items needed by the people in the area. The funds can be spent locally to support businesses that need help.
Good-hearted people often clean out closets to send used clothing or other physical items. The items are loaded into a rented truck and hauled to a distribution center in the disaster zone, where exhausted, overwhelmed volunteers struggle to keep up with the supplies arriving. In the end, piles of clothing, toys, blankets, and other supplies end up in a landfill.
Who is accepting donations?
American Red Cross: One of the first relief agencies that we think of, the Red Cross offers food, shelter, and supplies to people in disaster areas. Click here to donate.
Samaritan’s Purse: Franklin Graham’s Christ-centered relief organization has relief teams on the ground all along Helene’s path. They provide assistance with cleanup and rebuilding after the storm. Click here to learn more about what they are already doing and how you can donate or volunteer.
The Salvation Army: Responding quickly to the disaster, the Salvation Army provides food, drinks, shelter, and emotional and spiritual care. Donate to their efforts here.
GoFundMe: For people who want to contribute to assisting individuals and families, GoFundMe has a dedicated hub of vetted Helene requests. Check it out here.
This list is not meant to be complete, and we do not recommend any particular relief agency. The need in these areas is great, and there will be a need for assistance for some time to come.
One more tip: do not just show up to try to assist. Volunteer through one of the established agencies to avoid becoming a burden. The established agencies have contacts with locals to determine the community’s needs.
