From pack mules, to planes, to food trucks, there seems to be a united force working to help those in Southeast Appalachia.
After Hurricane Helene tore a path of destruction through the Appalachian mountain region, groups have come together to provide aid to those in need. These relief organizations cannot operate without community support, the resources below are ways you can help.
World Central Kitchen
World Central Kitchen (WCK) was started by Chef José Andrés to provide meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises. They are working with food truck partners and their Rapid Response Field Kitchen to provide hot meals to communities affected by Hurricane Helene in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. You can offer your support with monetary donations to fund WCK’s aid efforts following Hurricane Helene.
Mountain Mule Packers
Mountain Mule Packer Ranch, located in Mount Ulla, North Carolina, are focusing their relief efforts in Black Mountain and its surrounding areas. They are currently accepting donations at their Venmo (@Michele-Toberer) and supply donations at drop-off points posted on their Facebook, Mountain Mule Packer Ranch.
Operation Airdrop
Operation Airdrop is a Texas based non-profit that enlists pilots with private planes and helicopters to deliver supplies to people in isolated areas after natural disasters. They are directing aid to Western NC, through the transportation of essential goods. They are accepting monetary donations on their website: operation-airdrop.com.
Cajun Navy 2016
The Cajun Navy 2016, which started in Louisiana, is a group of unpaid volunteers working to provide immediate relief and rescue during natural disasters. They are working throughout the Asheville area, including Black Mountain and Montreat. They are accepting monetary donations through their website: unitedcajunnavy.org, as well as supply donations through their Amazon wishlist.
BeLoved Asheville
BeLoved Asheville is a nonprofit organization founded in Asheville to support and improve the community. They are working to distribute essential items to those in the community, as well as begin to clear debris from the area. They are accepting both monetary and supply donations;
Venmo (@BeLoved-Asheville)
PayPal (BeLovedAsheville)
Supply donations can be delivered to 32 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville.
North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild (NCCBG)
The NCCBG is banding together in support of WNC breweries, with the following breweries working as supply drop locations: NoDa Brewing Co., Divine Barrel Brewing, Resident Culture Brewing Co., Hopfly Brewing Co., Wooden Robot Brewing, Town Brewing Co., The Chamber at Wooden Robot and Triple C Brewing Co.
Resident Culture Brewing Co. is accepting online donations to raise funds for Charlotte chefs, to travel to Asheville and provide hot meals.
Hi-Wire Brewing
Hi-Wire Brewing, with two locations in Asheville, are accepting both monetary and supply donations. There are two options for a monetary donation: to Hi-Wire staff located in Asheville, or to support their cleanup and comeback efforts. They are collecting relief supplies at their Charlotte, Wilmington and Durham locations to be flown to Asheville and surrounding areas.
Chai Pani
The Chai Pani Restaurant Group has three locations: Asheville, where their headquarters is located; Charlotte, located in Optimist Hall; and Atlanta. When eating at any of these locations you can add a donation to the check. This money goes directly to the staff at Botiwalla Asheville. Their Asheville location is also working with WCK to provide hot meals to those in the community.
Humane Society of Asheville
Without power or running water, the Humane Society of Asheville has had to relocate most of the animals in their care. They are currently requesting monetary donations to tinyurl.com/AshevilleHumaneDonate.
