As we continue to witness the destruction of Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton, Self-Help is committed to supporting victims of the hurricanes, which includes many of our members and staff, during this challenging time.
If you are trying to find ways to assist those in need, we have put together a short list of organizations you can support who are providing essential services in response to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
Mutual Aid Disaster Relief
Mutual Aid Disaster Relief is a grassroots network whose mission is to provide disaster relief based on the principles of solidarity, mutual aid, and autonomous direct action. They have been directing people to mutual aid efforts and providing resources and funds directly to community members who direly need it.
SBP
SBP is a national social impact organization dedicated to helping communities shrink the time between disaster and recovery by building homes, increasing preparedness and resilience, and improving systems to better serve the needs of all Americans, everywhere.
Pinellas Community Foundation
The Pinellas Community Foundation offers support, resources, and information to address the needs of the people and nonprofit organizations of Pinellas County, Florida. It was founded to bridge the gap in social services to the Black community and is currently providing essential assistance in the wake of Hurricane Helene and preparing for Hurricane Milton through their Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund.
BeLoved Asheville
BeLoved Asheville is a community-based organization that provides for those in need and helps us to remember the humanity in all. They are deeply committed to supporting their community and are urgently responding to Hurricane Helene by distributing vital supplies to the mountain city.
All Faiths Food Bank
All Faiths Food Bank is the only food bank and the largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties. After these counties were already devastated by Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton is headed directly toward the areas they serve. They are providing relief to people who have been affected in these areas.
All Hands and Hearts
All Hands and Hearts is an organization committed to effectively and efficiently addressing the immediate and long-term needs of global communities impacted by disasters. They arrive early and stay late to rebuild schools and homes in a disaster-resilient way. They are currently staged in Georgia, ready to respond to Hurricane Milton.
Volunteer: This is a great option for people who want to volunteer in the future, but are unable to provide support right now. Because their purpose is to help rebuild, their relief efforts are planned to go through March of next year.
Rural Organizing and Resisting (ROAR)
Rural Organizing and Resisting works to strengthen connections and respect among all people in their mountain communities by countering systems of oppression through education, outreach, empowerment and mutual aid. They are based in North Carolina and have opened a mutual aid hub to provide assistance. They are accepting donations of food, supplies, and monetary support.
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is one of the largest anti-hunger organizations in the U.S., working to provide food to people in need while advancing long-term solutions to end hunger in their communities. They have activated their disaster response plans and have food assistance sites as well as some shelters open for support.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. They are currently working to respond to Hurricane Helene and Milton and are also committed to supporting the long-term recovery for these communities.
Volunteer - Disaster Corps: This is a long-term volunteer opportunity to support disaster preparation and recovery to help reduce the impact of disasters.
Volunteer – RV Care-A-Vanners: This is a volunteer program for anyone who travels by recreational vehicle (RV) and wants to help build habitats across North America. Once you have experience as an RV Care-A-Vanner, you can also apply to join the Disaster Rebuild Team to help with future disaster builds.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross has shelters open for anyone who has been displaced from the hurricane, where they are also providing food, water, health services, emotional support, and supplies.
Donate Blood: If you are unable to give monetary donations or volunteer, consider giving blood. The hurricane has affected the collection of blood donations throughout the Southeast, and The Red Cross is looking to restock these critically needed blood products.