SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Tropical Storm Helene barreled through the western portion of the state Friday, Sept. 27, causing catastrophic flooding and leaving behind destroyed towns.
The death toll from the storm rose to 100 Monday, with more than a quarter from the Tar Heel State; Helene first landed in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane before moving through Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina as a tropical storm. First-responders have received hundreds of rescue calls and more than 1,000 welfare checks as an unknown number of people continue to be missing since the storm brought a deluge of rainfall and fatal landslides.
Residents in the mountainous region continue to face severe power and cellphone outages, collapsed roadways and limited water supply. Roughly 400 roads remain closed currently, which North Carolina Department of Transportation is working to restore and reopen. It advises no one to travel to this portion of the state.
The governor has activated more than 400 National Guardsmen, and along with out-of-state and federal teams they have rescued 500 people and delivered more than 300 pallets of water and 230 pallets of food to those in need.
In the wake of rescue and recovery efforts, help continues being deployed to assist people with essential needs as communities begin the long road ahead to rebuild. According to the governor’s office, 5,000 households have already contacted FEMA, which has delivered 1 million liters of water and more than 600,000 meals to North Carolinians so far.
Officials are warning people not to self-deploy to offer help; however, there are multiple ways to donate. Below are causes that support victims of the flooding, from various public agencies and government entities to nonprofit organizations and Wilmington-area for-profit businesses.
Want to add to the list? Email us: info@portcitydaliy.com
All Hands and Hearts
The nonprofit has been working in disaster zones for two decades helping communities and more than 1.2 million people recover and rebuild after crisis strikes. It launched a 12-month recovery effort from Hurricane Helene, with the goal to raise $2 million to help affected communities in her path and already has volunteers in western North Carolina.
American Red Cross – North Carolina
Monetary donations are accepted here or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767), as the Red Cross has been setting up emergency shelters across the western region of the state. Blood is also needed, so to schedule an appointment click here.
Aunt Kerry’s Pet Shop
Located at 3600 S. College Road, the local pet shop is collecting donations to transport across the state. It is accepting animal supplies, water, canned goods, and cleaning supplies, but asks for people to refrain from donating clothes or blankets.
Barbary Coast
Until further notice, downtown Wilmington’s oldest bar is donating a portion of its sales to help with recovery efforts in western North Carolina. The bar is located at 116 S. Front St. in downtown Wilmington.
Belle Vue Wilmington
An event venue in the Brooklyn Arts District‚ Belle Vue, at 1125 N 4th St., is a dropoff location for items that will be transported to the western region of the state. It’s accepting donations through Wednesday, Oct. 2, noon to 4 p.m. No clothes, water, chemicals, fuel or flammable items will be accepted, however other items welcomed include:
- Sports drinks powder packs
- Non-perishable food
- Baby supplies: wipes, formula, diapers
- Sanitizer/wipes
- Heavy duty work gloves
- Paper towels
- Cleaning supplies
- Toiletries
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste
- Pet food
- Feminine hygiene products
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Plastic utensils
- Manual can openers
- Trash bags (13 gal or contractor bags)
- Socks, all sizes unopened
Black’s Tire Wilmington
The automotive shop is accepting donations on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at its 2015 Oleander Dr. location. Items accepted include: cases of water, hydration powder packets, baby formula, wipes and diapers, new blankets, contractor bags, tarps, plastic sheeting, flashlights and batteries, cleaning supplies, plastic utensils, paper products, first aid kits, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and toiletries, manual can openers, nonperishable foods, Food Lion gift cards and cash.
Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office
Through Friday, Oct. 4, 8 a.m. – 7p.m., at the Lowe’s Foods on Midway Road in Bolivia, items are being accepted to help flood victims in western North Carolina.
Urgent needs include:
- Water and sports drinks, hydration powder packs
- Non-perishable food
- Baby supplies: wipes, formula, diapers
- Sanitizer/wipes
- Rubber boots
- Work gloves
- Paper towels
- Flash lights
- Batteries
- Toiletries
- Pet food
- Tools and tool kits
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Plastic utensils
- Manual can openers
- Trash bags (13 gal or contractor bags)
- Socks, all sizes unopened
- Monetary donations can be made through NC Emergency Management: https://pay.payitgov.com/ncdonations
Cape Fear Volunteer Center
They’re accepting food, such as canned goods, with a pop top or enclose a manual can opener, and boxes of granola bars or other nonperishables, as well as cases of water.
They’re also encouraging the public to make Flood Buckets — individual kits to include:
- Bleach: Two 1-quart or One 82 oz. Bottle or solution found at Home Depot
- 5 Scouring pads
- 7 pack of sponges (assorted sizes)
- 1 scrub brush
- 8 cleaning towels (reusable wipes)
- Liquid laundry detergent: Two 25 oz. or One 50 oz. bottle
- Household cleaner: One 12-16 oz. bottle
- Disinfectant dishwashing soap: One 16-28 oz. bottle
- Clothes line: Two 50 ft. or One 100 ft.
- 50 clothes pins
- 5 dust masks
- 2 pair latex or non-latex gloves
- 1 pair work gloves 24-bag roll of heavy-duty trash bags (33-45 gallon bags removed from box)
- Insect repellant spray: One 6-14 oz. can (aerosols must have protective caps)
- Air freshener: One 8 or 9 oz. can (aerosols must have protective caps)
- Hygiene kits are also needed
- Assembly instructions
- 2 unbreakable combs (no sharp handles)
- 4 toothbrushes (packaged)
- 1 tube of toothpaste (6-8 oz., no pumps)
- 2 bars of soap (approximately 4 to 5 oz.)
- 2 hand towels (new towels)
Drop off locations:
- 421 S College Rd., Wilmington, The Bazar
- 4618 Market St., Wilmington, The Wherehouse
- 703 Bellfork Rd., Jacksonville, The Foundry
Island Passage
The Wilmington boutique has three locations on Bald Head Island, in Lumina Station and downtown Wilmington, as well as its other store, Edet, also located downtown. From Oct. 4 through 7, it will donate all proceeds from its sales to The American Red Cross Hurricane Helene Relief.
Fermental
A Hurricane Relief Fundraiser and Supply Drive will take place on Oct. 5, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Fermental, located in the Cargo District. A portion of sales also will go to American Red Cross and the bottle shop is accepting:
- Nonperishables
- Bottled water
- Cleaning supplies
- Hygiene items
- Diapers
- Tarps
- Paper goods
Food Bank of Eastern and Central NC
The local nonprofit on Greenfield Street is accepting volunteers this week to prepare meals that will go to western North Carolina, as Asheville’s Manna Food Bank has closed indefinitely due to flooding. The Food Bank of Eastern and Central NC is one of many food banks statewide that is activated to help feed 38 affected counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. To sign up to volunteer in Wilmington and help during a kitchen shift or to make a monetary donation, click here.
Hidden Grounds
A coffee shop in downtown Wilmington is also donating a portion of sales this week to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Programs for the Carolinas. Ten percent of sales will be funneled to the agency from products sold Monday, Sept. 30, through Friday, Oct. 4. Hidden Grounds is located at 21 S. Second St.
Hope Mills Inc. — Helicopters Dropping Relief
Pilots made 400 trips Sunday, Sept. 29, delivering water and other supplies to affected communities in WNC. Helicopters are departing from Hickory, N.C., outside of Charlotte, and a GOFundMe is set up and as of press has raised almost $200,000 of its $500,000 goal to continue operations. Its pilots are volunteering time, ensuring that medication is reaching patients, as well as making rescues of elderly folks and others.
Hues of Violet
Located downtown at 22 S. Front St., Hues of Violet will donate a portion of sales to hurricane relief. The store is giving 10% of its proceeds for anything sold —jewelry, apparel, home goods — between Sept. 30 through Oct. 6.
MegaCorps
A Wilmington-headquartered freight transportation business is also accepting donations at its 1011 Ashe Dr. through Oct. 4. Donations can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the list of items accepted include:
- Non-perishable food
- Baby supplies: wipes, formula, diapers
- Sanitizer/Clorox wipes
- Toilet paper
- Wash cloths
- Blankets
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste
- Dry shampoo
- Protein shakes
- Hand sanitizer
- Bottle water
- Adult diapers
- Rubber boots
- Work gloves
- Paper towels
- Flash lights
- Batteries
- Toiletries
- Pet food
- Tools and tool kits
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Plastic utensils
- Radios AM/FM
- Shovels/brooms
- Propane stoves
- Tarps
- Gas cans
- Bleach
- Bread, PB&J
- Lighters,
- Ziplock bags
- 20-pound propane cylinders and adaptors
- Generators
- Trash bags (13 gal or contractor bags)
- Socks, all sizes unopened
NC Community Foundation
The North Carolina Community Foundation works with various nonprofits that tackle health, humanitarian and safety needs statewide, including American Red Cross, Baptists On Mission, The Salvation Army and United Way of North Carolina.
NCCF is accepting donations for the Disaster Relief Fund, to help with mid- to long-term recovery efforts when North Carolina faces a disaster. It provides grants to charitable organizations supporting the efforts. For instance, following 2018’s Hurricane Florence, the fund awarded 153 grants to nonprofit organizations totaling $3.25 million.
All contributions go to disaster relief — none to administrative or operational expenses. Donations can be made:
- Online at nccommunityfoundation.org/helene.
- By mailing a check to NCCF at 3737 Glenwood Ave., Suite 460, Raleigh, NC 27612. Write “Disaster Relief” on the memo line of your check.
Those needing assistance with their donation can call 919-828-4387 or 800-532-1349.
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
The state also has a disaster relief fund, with fiscal agent United Way managing grant allocations to organizations that help with disaster relief. Any 501(c)(3) that works with communities impacted by Tropical Storm Helene are eligible to apply for funding. Learn more and make donations here.
North Carolina Troopers Incorporated
“Troopers helping troopers” is the focus of the North Carolina Troopers Association’s benevolent fund. It helps people with disaster assistance as need be, or troopers facing serious illness or injury.
Donations are accepted here and will help provide sundries like bottled water, food and hygiene products to first responders working in field and for the communities desperate for assistance and supplies.
Ogden Baptist Church
Supplies are being accepted at the 7121 Market St. church Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. While donations are needed, the church also is looking for volunteers to help pack boxes from 9 a.m. to noon daily; the church also needs boxes. The goal is to load a truck Friday to send off to the mountains.
Operation Airdrop
Pilots are flying in supplies to the western region out of Concord, North Carolina, this week. Supplies and monetary donations can be located here.
Parkway of Wilmington
The local dealership’s numerous locations, including Parkway Subaru, Parkway Hyundai, Parkway Volvo and Parkway’s Pre-Owned Center, is taking collections to transport to Asheville on Saturday, Oct. 5. Accepted essential items include:
- Bottled Water
- Pasta and canned goods
- Toiletries (soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes
- Paper plates and paper towels
- Bread and peanut butter
- Hair brushes and combs
According to a release from the dealership: “An employee with family in the Ashville area has determined a viable route and destination to receive and distribute items driven to Asheville on Saturday morning, October 5th. Anyone with a truck who wants to transport items and accompany the Parkway of Wilmington team is invited to join.”
Pender County Fire and EMS
Donations will be accepted Monday and Tuesday, with a tractor trailer planned for delivery Wednesday.
Water is the biggest need per emergency management and supplies can be dropped off at the emergency operations center in Burgaw (805 Ridgewood Ave.) or EMS Station 2 (16660 US-17, Hampstead).
Other items accepted include: Non-perishable foods, water, sodas, snacks, candy, children’s toys, stuffed animals, anything for the kids, diapers, baby wipes, skin ointment, mosquito repellant, bug spray, cleaning supplies, brooms, mops, camping tents, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, coats, clothing, shoes, socks of all sizes, toilet paper, paper towels, sanitary napkins, etc. meds, shampoo, Clorox, pine cleaner, paper plates, forks, spoons, knives, and hand sanitizer.
Pine Valley Market
Located on South College Road near the 17th Street Extension, Pine Valley Market is collecting nonperishable food items, diapers and water for the Air Force to deliver the donations — multiple times a week. PVM is also donating a portion of its sales to World Central Kitchen, which is set up in Asheville and surrounding areas in WNC to feed people for free.
UWHelpsNC Helene Recovery Fund
The United Way also started a specialty fund to rebuild neighborhoods and cities decimated by Helene. Officials have called the tropical storm the “Katrina of the North Carolina mountains” and “apocalyptic” due to numerous landslides. The fund helps “fellow North Carolinians who have lost their homes and are in desperate need of shelter, food, water, clothing, and more,” UWHelps notes here. Upon donating, people choose which county the donation should go to.
Samaritan’s Purse
The nonprofit outfit provides emergency aid to victims of natural disasters. Its national headquarters is in Boone, which the storm impacted in Watauga County, and the group is executing relief to neighboring counties in North Carolina — Ashe and Avery — as well as eastern Tennessee (Johnson). It’s deployed emergency beds at area hospitals in the aftermath of Helene; learn more about its efforts here.
Southern Smoke Foundation
A national nonprofit dedicated to helping food and beverage workers receive emergency aid, Southern Smoke Foundation will provide funds to applicants who have an unexpected need, whether injury, job loss or acts of nature shuttering businesses and washing out homes. There’s no deadline for requests and no cap on the amount given — folks can reapply every 12 months as needed. Learn more here.
World Central Kitchen
The group founded by José Andrés in 2010 has deployed to Asheville and set up at Bear’s Smokehouse, 135 Coxe Ave., as of noon on Sept. 30 to distribute free meals to those in need until further notice. World Central Kitchen will begin distribution sites at other locations in the western region as well after assessing where they’re most needed. The nonprofit ensures no one goes hungry during a crisis, as it sends teams to set up kitchens and distribution centers in areas facing natural disasters or in war-torn global regions. Donations to its cause are accepted here and volunteers can sign up here.
Learn of more relief efforts, especially local organizations in the western part of the state, from Blue Ridge Public Radio reporting here.
Tips or comments? Email info@localdailymedia.com
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
