Our hearts go out to the families and communities across the ten states impacted by Hurricane Helene, especially western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.
While Aspen CSG is not a disaster response organization, we are committed to sharing resources and elevating the needs of rural communities impacted by natural disasters. We have collaborated with partners to identify effective practices and policies to move disaster recovery away from a costly “patch it again” cycle and focus on advancing community prosperity outcomes.
As we’ve seen with previous disasters, the surest way to ensure equitable and targeted support is through the local organizations on the ground who have been doing the work before the disaster hits and will be there long after the cameras and national organizations recede.
Below is a curated list of local resources and organizations aiding relief and recovery:
- Local and regional community foundations are on the frontline for immediate disaster relief and longer-term recovery. If you are inclined to make a donation, consider supporting the philanthropic efforts of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky and Appalachia Funders Network. You can contribute to their Appalachian Helene Response Fund, which aims to help local people, organizations, and businesses – and to fill gaps for those left out of the broader relief effort. The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina is also supporting hurricane relief efforts and making grants to frontline nonprofits.
- There are many open-source response and recovery resources for locals who want to help or need assistance. These documents have information for affected people and drop-off locations for community donations and support. Please feel free to share this with your networks. These lists will continue to be updated as relief efforts grow.
- Aspen CSG partner Fahe works with a network of nonprofits across the Appalachian portion of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Alabama, and Maryland. See and consider donating to the Fahe member communities within the storm path.
- Aspen CSG partner MDC hosts the NC Inclusive Disaster Recovery Network, a collaborative of public, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations seeking avenues for community voice and equitable access to resources in our disaster recovery system. The group wrote a letter to the NC General Assembly with a framework for Helene Recovery. If you’re an NC organization needing a connection to resources such as volunteers, donations, legal help, etc., contact Andrew.Shoenig@MDCinc.org.
It’s only together that we can create stronger rural and Indigenous communities — even in the face of more intense climate disasters.
