How you can help Asheville NC, where to donate and avoid scams

Relief efforts are underway in hard-hit Western North Carolina, including Asheville, which is experiencing a major disaster from Tropical Storm Helene. Communities have been devastated after rain caused catastrophic flooding and washed out roads.

Hundreds of thousands of customers were without power on Sunday morning.

This is how you can participate.

Give money

The fastest way is of course to send money.

While there is often a push to send water, blankets, food and other items, charities are not ready to tackle the logistical nightmare of organizing, sorting, storing and distributing physical goods. By donating to trusted charities, the money goes to what is needed right now, where it is needed most.

Charities also often receive bulk discounts and, if possible, purchase items in the disaster area to support local economic recovery.

There may be a time when things are needed, but in the beginning it’s money.

Which national organizations are helping the victims of Tropical Storm Helene?

American Red Cross: The Red Cross, always one of the first groups in the world and probably the best-known aid organization in the world, provides food, shelter, supplies and emotional support to victims of crises. It already has hundreds of employees and volunteers in Florida and has opened dozens of shelters for evacuees. You can contribute to the relief efforts of the national group Helene.

GoFundMe: GoFundMe fundraisers for people affected by Hurricane Helene are already piling up on this popular crowdfunding site that connects you directly with people in need of help. This can be a great way to help those in need and put a face to the person you are donating to, but it can also be an easy way to get scammed. Read the campaigns carefully. GoFundMe has set up a special hub for Helene requests that have been vetted. The company also has its own Hurricane Relief Fund you can donate to, which provides cash grants to people in need of help.

The Salvation Army: Another group that gets there quickly when a disaster strikes, the Salvation Army provides food, drink, shelter, emotional and spiritual care, and other emergency services to survivors and rescuers. You can donate to Helene’s efforts online.

United Way: The United Way has launched a fund to help people affected by Helene. Local United Way organizations are also accepting donations to provide assistance with both short-term issues and to continue helping residents down the road. You can find your local chapter on the organization’s website.

World Central Cuisine: When a disaster strikes, Chef José Andrés is there with his teams to set up kitchen facilities and serve thousands of meals to victims and responders. You can help by donating on their website.

There are also many other organizations that provide special care and assistance:

All hands and hearts: This volunteer-based organization works with local residents to help rebuild schools, homes and other community infrastructure. A Helene fund has been started.

America: Americares focuses on medical assistance, helping communities recover from disasters with access to medicines and providing personal protective equipment and medical supplies. To help the victims of Hurricane Helene, Americares has set up a donation page.

CONCERN: Provides emergency cash assistance to families in underserved communities. Donate to their Helene Fund on their website.

The Tampa Bay Community Foundation: This local group maintains its own list of local charities that could use help meeting critical needs, or you can donate to the Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund, which distributes money to community nonprofits that respond to emergencies.

Immediate help: Direct Relief provides long-term medical assistance specifically needed by local officials and agencies. According to an email, the organization just made more than $74 million in medications and medical supplies available to healthcare providers responding to Hurricane Helene. You can donate to their general fund or choose Hurricane Helene Response from the dropdown on their donation page.

Giving worldwide: This disaster relief charity provides immediate relief after emergencies to people, animals and frontline workers, helping displaced families, but also focuses on long-term relief with an emphasis on local organizations. Donate to the Helene Ida Fund on their website.

International Medical Corps: This organization works with government agencies and local healthcare providers to provide critical care and medical supplies. Donate to their Helene Fund as described on their website.

Mutual aid in disasters: A grassroots disaster relief network dedicated to bringing aid directly to underserved communities who are often left out. Donate at mutualaiddisasterrelief.org.

Operation blessing: This group works with emergency management and local churches to bring clean water, food, medicine and more supplies to people with immediate needs in disaster areas. Donate to their Helene Fund on their website.

Save the children: This organization is working to get child-targeted supplies into the hands of families hardest hit by the storm, including hygiene kits, diapers and baby wipes, as well as classroom cleaning kits for schools and assistance in restoring childcare and early education centers. Donate to the Children’s Emergency Fund.

Should I go to the affected areas and volunteer to help the victims of Hurricane Helene?

Unless officially requested, no.

There are disaster response teams and trusted organizations that do that, and random volunteers, while valued in theory, do not have the safety or medical training to assist with disaster recovery and can take up resources needed by locals. Local health care workers, Red Cross volunteers and first responders will be heading to the area. Contact them to see how you can help.

How can I ensure that my money goes to the victims of Hurricane Helene?

Unfortunately, during the same devastating emergencies when so many people want to help, there will always be scammers looking to take advantage of your money. Check them out before donating to an unknown charity.

One simple method: search Google with the name of the charity and the words “scam” or “fraud.” You can also research them with one of the organizations that rate charities: the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance (give.org), Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org), Guidestar (guidestar.org), or CharityWatch (charitywatch.org ).

The Florida Department of Agricultural Services has its own toll-free hotline where you can check charities, at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), or you can use the Check-A-Charity tool to check registration and financial information verify .

Can I help pets injured or stranded by Hurricane Helene?

There are a number of local organizations dedicated to helping animals in the affected areas.

Human disaster response in society: This group evacuates animals from shelters before and after hurricanes and other natural disasters. You can donate at secured.humanesociety.org/page/81880.