10/09/2024
Many people have asked “what can I do to help?” So many people in Asheville and the surrounding counties are dealing with unimaginable devastation…houses swept away, businesses flooded, roads impassable with fallen trees, and people still not found. I’ve compiled a list of respected charities who have a strong history of helping others with one exception, a chocolate manufacturer that we all need now!
If you are able, our community will appreciate any gift. In addition to these local orgs, the Red Cross and Salvation Army are helping in ways so needed after a disaster. We have had great federal and state support, but as the Black Mountain mayor said today in a briefing, government cannot do everything, so we need to pitch in and fill the gaps. Feel free to send this list to any of your friends and associates. Remember too that Georgia, Tennessee also had significant devastation caused by Helene.
1. Manna Food Bank's mission is to involve, educate, and unite people in the work of ending hunger in WNC.They lost everything - their riverside facility, food, trucks, and all sorts of needed materials. Prior to Helene, their daily operations involve procuring, warehousing, and distributing food to over 220 partner agencies in the 16 counties of Western North Carolina – 18.2 million pounds in 2017/2018. The partner agencies include food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and other emergency providers to support the more than 100,000 people who are facing food insecurity in WNC.
They also have Feeding Kids Year Round Program (weekend and summer packs), a food helpline and team of SNAP outreach workers who assist people with access to cash benefits to supplement their food budget. Food insecurity rates are high in Western NC, impacting more than 23.6% of our children. Rural poverty is a particular challenge in the 6,434 square mile service area, and MANNA is committed to providing excellent service in a sometimes challenging terrain and environment.
MANNA FoodBank Involving, educating, and uniting people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina.
mannafoodbank.org
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MANNA FoodBank | Asheville NC
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2. Brother Wolf Animal Adoption and Rescue: They lost their facility and contents but were able to re-house all of their animals with help of its cadre of very dedicated volunteers and shelters outside of Helene’s path. Right now a generous donor is matching gifts up to $500,000 making anything you donate twice as impactful. BWAR was the first shelter in the area to commit to no-kill, even with hard-to-adopt animals and historically has saved 100,000 animals.
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Animal Adoption and Rescue | Brother Wolf - Asheville, NC
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Brother Wolf Animal Rescue | Asheville NC
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Did you catch the CNN story about Brother Wolf? Here it is:
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10.3.24 1035 am ET CNN Newsroom Anchor Jim Acosta w/ Leah Craig Chumbley of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue The Asheville NC Animal Crisis
Jeff Storobinsky ()
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3. River Arts District (RAD): "Decades in the Making, in Ruins After Helene” (NY Times Oct 4, 2024)
RAD is a creative hub along the French Broad River repurposing warehouses and mills, many with colorful exterior murals that contain glassblowing, pottery, and other artisan studios, plus indie art galleries. The dining and nightlife scene encompasses hip cafes, BBQ restaurants, craft breweries, and cozy, chilled-out music venues like the long-running Grey Eagle and The Guitar Bar. https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/asheville-river-arts-district-hurricane-helene-damage-rcna173506
There are >250 artists in RAD. Right now they are shoveling mud, wondering and worrying how to re-start their work. You can help by supporting artists as they rebuild thru RAD Foundation.
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Donate - Helene Flood - River Arts District Artists
riverartsdistrict.com
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River Arts District Artists, Asheville | Asheville NC
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4. French Broad Chocolate:
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French Broad Chocolate
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The owners wrote: “Though it may be weeks before we can resume production of chocolate and reopen our Chocolate Lounge & Chocolate Factory, we have lots of inventory on hand, which didn't experience any flooding. Selling it will help us fund the business while we wait to re-establish operations. We can start shipping next week. Join us at frenchbroadchocolates.com and pick out something(s) for yourself and your loved ones. We appreciate you so very much.
"Loves, when Dan and I moved to Asheville in 2006, we identified deeply with the creative, resilient spirit of Asheville, the strong support of local business, and the true sense of community and collaboration. We believe in this town now more than ever, and will do what we can to move forward, together."
5. The United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County:
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County. https://www.unitedwayabc.org/hurricane-helene
Encouraging community spirit, neighbors helping neighbors and grassroots groups working tirelessly, the UW locally has activated their network to raise funds, goods, and volunteers to support community groups and partners directly in that work. They would love your help too!
6. BeLoved Asheville: BeLoved believes everyone deserves a home. They work with the chronically homeless and in 2024 erected tiny homes in a community that also has services, helping to ensure stability. They help mitigate the housing crisis, building a community of dependable people and creating a national model for a new way home. Since Helene, they have dedicated every resource to those most affected, focusing on critical necessities - food, water, and healthcare. Anticipating winter, they are working to secure warm/safe housing for those displaced. BeLoved is integral to rebuilding a community emboding home, health, equity, and opportunity for all.
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Welcome
belovedasheville.com
Thank you, everyone!!
We are witnessing incredible community spirit, with neighbors helping neighbors and grassroots groups working tirelessly to address immediate needs. KEEP THAT GOOD WORK UP! United Way is working with our network to raise funds, goods, and volunteers to support community groups and partners directly....
