Dogwood Health Trust announced more than $30 million in initial relief funding for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. This funding focuses on immediate needs, FEMA response services, and maintaining critical health services. A lead grant of $10 million will go to the Emergency and Disaster Response Fund at the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. The remainder will support nonprofit organizations working directly with communities across the region. Read more here.
WNC Strong: Helene Business Recovery Fund has been established with $7.5 million from the Golden LEAF Foundation. This fund provides small businesses affected by Hurricane Helene with loans up to $100,000 at a 1% interest rate with interest-only payments for the first year. Find out more here.
The Duke Endowment has committed $15 million to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. An initial $7.5 million will support trusted organizations through two funds: $5 million to the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina’s Emergency and Disaster Response Fund and $2.5 million to the Central Carolina Community Foundation’s One SC Fund. These grants will address urgent needs such as food, housing, and relief efforts. The remaining $7.5 million will be allocated to vetted organizations in the coming weeks. Read more here.
The NC Hospitality Workers Relief Fund, managed by the NCRLA Foundation, has provided over $1.5 million in financial assistance to NC restaurant and hotel employees. In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, 100% of donations will go directly to supporting NC hospitality workers impacted by the storm. Learn more here.
Alex N. Sill Company, North America’s leading public adjuster and loss consultant, is offering exclusive pricing to Asheville Chamber of Commerce members and their clients. Members can receive a 10% discount on large-loss adjusting services. In addition, Sill will donate $100 to the Chamber for every member or client that utilizes this discount. Learn more here!
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened a Business Recovery Center (BRC) at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce to help businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. The center provides face-to-face assistance for SBA disaster loan applications. The Asheville BRC is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted. Survivors are encouraged to apply for FEMA grants and SBA loans simultaneously to expedite their recovery. Learn more here.
The North Carolina Department of Revenue is offering state tax relief for individuals and businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Affected taxpayers have until May 1, 2025, to file returns or make payments for taxes originally due from September 25, 2024, through May 1, 2025. Penalties for late filings or payments will be waived, but interest will still accrue on taxes due. Taxpayers can request relief by submitting Form NC-5500 or NC-5501. Learn more here.
Pisgah Legal Services is assisting residents with legal services and FEMA filings. They offer tips for applying for FEMA, such as how to claim displacement assistance or reimbursement for emergency purchases. Learn more.
Colton Groome Financial has created financial resources to assist with disaster recovery, focusing on retirement plan-related questions such as contributions and hardship distributions. Their Retirement Plan Advisory Team will be available for in-person consultations at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce on select dates throughout October. If you need immediate assistance, you can contact them via email at cgretirement@coltongroome.com or access resources online. Find more details here.
United Federal Credit Union has pledged $85,000 to aid in Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Western North Carolina. This includes a $50,000 match campaign with the American Red Cross, $25,000 to Biltmore Church in Arden, NC, to provide food and water, and $10,000 to the Asheville Police Department Chaplains. United has also activated its financial assistance program for members in FEMA-designated areas, offering loan payment deferrals, waived fees, and special loan terms. More details here.
Resources
YMCA of Western North Carolina is providing free relief services, including showers, Wi-Fi, and charging stations, at several locations across the region. Mobile food markets will be hosted at the Asheville YMCA, Ferguson Family YMCA, and Reuter Family YMCA in Biltmore Park. Donation link.
MANNA FoodBank has expanded its relief efforts, setting up donation and distribution sites to provide critical food supplies. MANNA is calling for donations of shelf-stable food, bottled water, and hygiene items. Find out more.
MAHEC is offering recovery support and access to medical services at several reopened locations, such as Family Health at Enka-Candler, Ob/Gyn Specialists at Franklin, and telehealth psychiatric services. Donations to support MAHEC’s Helene recovery can be made online. Read more here.
Buncombe County has set up donation sites at 6 Commerce Way in Arden, NC, to collect seven categories of donations, including non-perishable food, bottled water, baby supplies, and more. Other partners, like Beloved Asheville and Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, are also accepting donations.
Happenings
Asheville Independent Restaurants (AIR) and the Buncombe County Health Department will host a virtual meeting on Wednesday, October 9 at 3 p.m. via Zoom (with Spanish language support). The meeting will provide information on permit suspension notices and emergency operations plans, which allow limited reopening if requirements are met. Felissa Vazquez, Environmental Health Supervisor, will be available for questions. Restaurants can still give away meals to support the community, even under permit suspension. The meeting will be recorded. Join the meeting here.
The SBA is offering a complimentary webinar on October 10 to provide businesses affected by Hurricane Helene with resources and guidance on applying for disaster assistance. This includes applying for SBA loans and FEMA assistance. Register here.
Buncombe County hosts daily community briefings on Facebook at 11 a.m. to provide updates on Hurricane Helene recovery, including water and power restoration efforts and FEMA assistance locations. Residents can also visit sites like Pack Square Park and Asheville Middle School to collect water and essential supplies.
Concert for Carolina, presented by Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, will feature Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings, and James Taylor to raise funds for Hurricane Helene relief efforts. The concert will take place on October 26 at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium. Proceeds will benefit Samaritan’s Purse, MANNA FoodBank, and others. Tickets go on sale October 10. More details here.