From Acadiana To Asheville: How You Can Help Families Recover

Last week I scoured the internet for anything I could find to send to my brother who lives in Asheville. I never thought I'd be the one helping him recover from his city being demolished by a hurricane. I always that would be the other way around. 

After several tense days of no communication with him and watching the nightmare unfold on the news, I was beginning to imagine the worse. We were able to finally make contact with my brother and my focus was only on finding as many resources I could to send him via text since that was the only way he could get any information. As I was scouring the internet, I discovered just how many families would forever have their lives changed because of the events of Hurricane Helene that began on Friday, September 27, 2024. 

I know as a Publisher for Macaroni KID New Iberia, I take it on as a personal responsibility to find as many resources and community events that families can benefit from in New Iberia, Morgan City, Breaux Bridge, Abbeville, Franklin, and St. Martinville. I kept wondering how these families in Asheville would ever be able to find what they need when everything in their life was upside down. 

As residents on the Gulf Coast, we know that feeling. Many of us in Acadiana are devastated by the events that have taken place in Asheville and want to help. I know that Western North Carolina was not the only area impacted and other states such as Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee were also hit with severe impacts from Hurricane Helene. As I type this, some of the same areas in Florida are preparing for the arrival of another weather event, Hurricane Milton. 

With that being said, I am now scouring the internet for ways that families in Louisiana can help those in Western North Carolina as well as the other states that have been affected by the recent storms in Gulf this hurricane season. 

If you know of an organization collecting resources not listed below, please feel free to email me at mackidnewiberia@macaronikid.com so we can be sure to add it to the list. 

The majority of the information in this article has been copied from organizations, officials, and other community groups who are gathering supplies, donations, monetary support, and other items needed to help the residents and families of Western North Carolina survive in the wake of this deadly storm. 

Image Credit Unknown | via Facebook

Basin Brew Fest of Morgan City 

Basin Brew Fest of Morgan City is selling t-shirts to benefit the fundraiser for the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild so be sure to read more about that. It's an easy way to get involved and show support for the affected areas. They have also started a Go Fund Me Campaign to help the breweries and employees of those breweries are dealing with currently in North Carolina: https://gofund.me/6306dc83. 

Catholic Charities of Acadiana

Catholic Charities of Acadiana is hosting a one-day, item-specific drive on Monday, October 14, 2024 to collect relief supplies for survivors of Hurricane Helene. The item-specific drive will take place from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Catholic Charities of Acadiana Regional Disaster Response Warehouse at 403 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy, Scott, LA 70507. Items being collected are: 

• Tarps
• Large black trash bags
• Cleaning supplies (mops, brooms, laundry detergent, and moldicide)
• Diapers (all sizes)
• $25 Visa gift cards

Donations collected will be transported to Catholic Charity agencies in the affected areas of North Carolina. 

Bead Busters 

4909 Cameron St, Lafayette La, 70506

Bead Busters in Lafayette (Scott area) has created a staging area for hurricane relief donations for families in Acadiana who want to donate to help those affected by the recent storms. All donated items must be new. Here is the list of items being collected and delivered to affected areas:

Big Hearts in Action / BIG 102.1 

BIG 102.1 has partnered with Bead Busters to collect supplies and work with distribution efforts to get items to affected areas. According to their website, the following businesses are offering these specials for families and other groups to pull together to help those in need: 

• BOX DROP of Lafayette has TWIN mattresses that they will sell for only $121 and they will deliver directly to Bead Busters to be sent to the disaster areas. Contact them at boxdroplaf@gmail.com or call (337)780-7076.
• CLEAR SPRINGS WATER is offering special pricing for water to be donated including delivery to the BIG Hearts in Action Hurricane Relief Supply Drive. Cases of water including delivery to Bead Busters are just $4 each (plus sales tax) and you can order. Contact them at Mike@clearsprings.net or call (337)519-3563 X3 for more information. 

Second Harvest Food Bank - Feeding South Louisiana 

(From the Second Harvest Facebook page) 

The devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene has hit home in unimaginable ways. The MANNA Food Bank in Asheville, NC has suffered severe flood damage and are temporarily closed—leaving many families and neighbors without access to critical food resources. Here's the clip from the TODAY show covering the damage at the MANNA Food Bank: 

Donate to help the affected areas replenish food supplies for families in the areas who will need it now more than ever. Your donation to feedingamerica.org/Helene will directly support the recovery efforts of food banks like MANNA that have been hit hardest.  

If you want to lend more localized support, consider donating to these food banks on the frontlines of recovery listed  below: 

• MANNA FoodBank – Temporarily closed but in dire need of help to rebuild. https://www.mannafoodbank.org/
• Feeding Florida – https://www.feedingflorida.org/taking-action/donate
• Second Harvest of the Big Bend - https://fightinghunger.org/
• Feeding the Carolinas – https://4agc.com/donate/helene

Second Harvest, along with other food banks, is already sending supplies and disaster boxes to our neighbors in need. But together, we can do so much more. 

Cajun Navy 2016 

Phone: 1-833-225-8616

Email: info@cajunnavy2016.org

We've all become aware of the efforts of the Cajun Navy in the aftermath of storms and other events that have affected us directly in Acadiana. Of course, these guys are the "boots on the ground" and are serving in all the affected areas to help clean, located those missing, and coordinating with local officials to get supplies where they are needed most. Here is the most recent FAQ post from their Facebook page as of 10/10/24: 

1. Where can checks be sent for a monetary donation?
Cajun Navy 2016
PO BOX 977
Watson, La. 70786

Please only send checks only to this address please.  

2. Venmo? PayPal? Other ways to donate? Yes but please go through our site at www.Pinnaclesar.org.

3. Can I physically volunteer?
Yes, please ‘Join the Team’ on our website https://pinnaclesar.org/join-the-team/volunteer-application/. Fellowship church in Asheville is taking day volunteers only. No running water. They do have electricity. As of now, they do not have accommodations for over night volunteers. Sign up here:
https://fellowshipasheville.churchcenter.com/.../2547772. Samaritans Purse is also asking for volunteers: https://sampur.se/4eLUHhn.

4. Where may I drop off physical donations? Propane tanks for heaters are needed.
POD 1 - Flat Rock, NC- not accepting physical donations at this time. 10/9/24.
POD 2 - post removed. They are full. (Atkins)
POD 3 - Morganton, NC
NO CLOTHES. They especially need chain saws and 5 gallon buckets with lids. Also needs chicken feed and fencing for chicken coops.  
Morganton does not need any more grills. They do need the following items industrial mops and cleaning supplies to get the mud out of houses also cold weather supplies. Buddy heaters, thermal underwear, hand warmers blankets and such. 

The new shipping address is:
Cajun Navy 2016/Donations
117-G  Dugout Circle
Morganton NC 28655
828-403-0483

WNC Regional Livestock Center is in need livestock supplies (specifically square hay bakes) and volunteers.
474 Stock Dr
Canton, NC 28716
https://www.facebook.com/@WNCLivestock/?mibextid=ZbWKwL

If you are local in Louisiana and have collected items and want them to get to affected areas you can drop them at Restoration directly. They will sort them and get them there. If you want to order items other than Amazon please send them to Restoration. Restoration church is located at:
22494 Hwy. 190
Robert, LA  70455

5. Are there other ways to donate? Yes. See this website.
https://pinnaclesar.org/shop/donation/donate-to-cajun-navy/ 

6. Amazon wish list? 10/11/24 - Wish list is PAUSED. Thank you all for your generosity. 

7. Is there any address to send items from sites other than Amazon? 

If you want to order items other than Amazon please send them to Restoration. Please consider propane tanks to fit the heaters on the Amazon list. Restoration church is located at:
22494 Hwy. 190
Robert, LA 70455

8. Are donations being confiscated? Not ours. Are you not being allowed to deliver donations? No. We are working with local churches so we have not had that problem. Donations are getting to our distribution sites/base camp. 

9. Do you take used clothing?  We are not aware of any site taking used clothing.

United Cajun Navy 

1-844-482-6289

info@unitedcajunnavy.com

https://unitedcajunnavy.org/

We actually have two groups, not related or part of the same organization that go by Cajun Navy. Both groups are here for residents along the Gulf Coast to help with disaster recovery. Both of these groups are working tirelessly to help recent storm victims. Here is a post from thee United Cajun Navy Facebook page as of 10/7/24: 

With the upcoming hurricane (Milton), the United Cajun Navy is now accepting used and new clothing at our BATON ROUGE warehouse for those able to drop off: 3404 Jones Creek Rd. You can drop off 8 am to 5 pm. We do ask IF possible please wash it since the majority of people who will receive the items will not have access to water. Heroes Of New Orleans is another drop site at 3712 Anson St. in New Orleans. They can take the clothing and other supplies to the warehouse for shipment to serve disaster victims. 

The United Cajun Navy also has an Amazon Wish List for those wanting to purchase items to be used for relief efforts and donations to affected areas. You can also donate directly to the United Cajun Navy. Get more details on their website and social media pages for ongoing efforts. 

Image by Wavebreakmedia | Getty Images

Ever since Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, major disaster relief and other charitable organizations around North Carolina have spent the last two weeks in the most affected areas still trying to reach those who are in desperate need of support. Unfortunately these types of events also bring out the worst in some, so we must be cautious and make sure to vet organizations or individuals collecting donations to help affected areas. Here are a few reputable organizations that are actively seeking donations to help hurricane and flood victims.  

BeLoved Asheville

Phone: (828) 571-0766

Email: Info@belovedasheville.com

BeLoved Asheville is a grass roots organization serving the needs of their community by working to secure food, affordable housing, racial equality, and accessible healthcare for those in the area. They have been instrumental in helping the families of Western North Carolina in the immediate days after Hurricane Helene. Here is their latest post as of 10/12/24 about how you can help: 

We are so moved by the outpouring of love for everyone suffering here in WNC. We want to share our needs and donation hours as we begin to move toward long-haul recovery and rebuilding. New hours for donation drops will be Monday - Saturday, from 9:00 am  - 4:30pm, at 32 Old Charlotte Hwy, Asheville, NC, 28805. 

Needs are as follows: 

• FUNDS (to support re-homing Hurricane survivors and repairing homes)
• Homes and land for donation or purchase to move hurricane victims who lost their homes
• Starlink Satellite systems
• Generators
• Power tools
• Lowe’s gift cards
• Inferred heaters
• 4×4 UTVs (ideally with dump)
• Skid steer, excavator, and transport trailer
• Commercial refrigerators and freezers 

For more information on this organization, visit them at https://www.belovedasheville.com/. You can donate to them directly at https://www.belovedasheville.com/donate/.

North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children

Phone: (984) 222-3625
Email: marca.hamm@ncfpsc.org

(Taken from their Facebook page as of October 1, 2024) 

We are being inundated with calls for help for students and teachers who have lost everything. Our goal is to support students, teachers, and schools devastated by Helene. As soon as schools are up and running, our children and school personnel will have some kind of normal and stability. That’s what we help do. Please consider donating to our Disaster Relief Fund. 100% of your tax-deductible donation will be used for Disaster Relief. Donate here: https://bit.ly/ncfpsc-helene. 

World Central Kitchen

For checks & cash donations: PO Box 96538 Washington, DC, 20090-6538

Phone: 1 (202) 844-6330

Email: hello@wck.org

World Central Kitchen provides immediate disaster response by providing meals and other humanitarian efforts for communities affected by natural disasters and other catastrophic events. They have teams in the affected areas from both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. You can find out more about volunteering with their efforts or donate to their cause to continue to support those in need. 

HSLDA

Phone: (540) 338-5600

Email: info@hslda.org

HSLDA is a non-profit organization that has been working with homeschooling families across the country for the last 40 years by protecting and educating families who choose home education. Here is information as of 10/1/24 about their efforts to help families who have lost everything in recent storms: 

Homeschooling families are among those whose lives have been turned upside down in the devastating wake of Hurricane Helene. We are offering financial assistance to these families so they can replace destroyed curriculum and school supplies, and purchase essential items like water, food, and diapers. You can help families give their children a sense of stability by making a donation to our Disaster Relief fund here: hslda.org/HeleneGiveHelp. 

Also, if you know of a homeschooling family in the affected area, here is how they can apply for a Disaster Relief grant: hslda.org/HeleneGetHelp.

Samaritan's Purse

Phone: (800) 528-1980

Email: info@samaritan.org 

From their mission statement: "Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world." This organization was founded over 50 years ago on the biblical parable of The Good Samaritan, providing relief, rescue, and restoration to those in need. Here is the latest post from their Facebook page as of 10/14/24: 

Samaritan’s Purse is continuing to respond to the recent, devastating hurricanes that have struck families across western North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. To date, we have completed more than 250 helicopter and fixed-wing missions to deliver emergency relief supplies to some of the most isolated and hard-hit areas of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. 

With more airlifts going out daily, we are delivering generators, fuel, heaters, blankets, medical kits, food, water, and Starlinks to communities cut off by floodwaters, mudslides, and washed-out roads. Aircraft from private businesses, individuals, non-profit organizations, the North Carolina Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army have joined together to make this large-scale response possible. 

In addition to air missions, Samaritan’s Purse has deployed Disaster Relief Units to Asheville, Boone, and Burnsville, NC; Perry and Tampa, FL; and Valdosta, GA. Over 13,000 volunteers have served more than 700 families so far, providing critical help by mudding out flooded homes, clearing debris, removing downed trees, and tarping roofs. Our U.S. Disaster Relief teams are committed to remaining on the ground and serving until all of our requests for help have been met. All of this is being done to share the love and hope of Jesus Christ. To get involved and learn more, please visit: https://sampur.se/4f23MCZ.

We will continue to update this list with organizations and resources for those looking to get involved in the relief response. Please understand, so many of these communities will take years to rebuild. Rebuilding and recovering will be a long process for so many. Thousands of families are facing the unknown right now.

Please keep these families, as well as the first responders and those volunteering in your continued thoughts and prayers.