My heart is just broken for all those affected by Hurricane Helene. The pain and suffering is so wide spread across the south it’s hard to wrap my head around the number of folks hurting today. From Florida up to North Carolina, homes, businesses and communities are shattered. My heart goes out to my favorite beach towns from Anna Maria Island and Cedar Key up to beautiful Savannah, Asheville and the North Carolina mountain communities that bring me & my family so much love & joy.  

 

This one certainly hits home. Conscious Coconut is based in Tampa Bay where over 30,000 structures have been flooded and damaged. This includes so many homes of family, friends, and neighbors across the Bay Area. My sister, aunt & uncle and in-laws lost their homes as well as several very good friends of ours. We’re working so hard to get them on solid ground and save as much as we can. 

 

Thank you to all those that have reached out. It’s been a long few days and it will be a long road to recovery for millions of people across the south. We’re grateful to finally have electricity and our home office & warehouse didn’t sustain any damage.

• Find the latest Hurricane Helene information from FEMA, including post-storm safety tips and how to find shelters. This includes links to local information for those in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
• Read the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statement on safety and enforcement during Hurricane Helene. The information is available in multiple languages.

Contacting Family & Friends:

• The Red Cross is providing assistance with finding friends and family impacted by the storm.

Financial Support:

• Find out if you qualify for disaster financial assistance. You could get unemployment benefits, help buying groceries, and more.

Health & Supplies:

• Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 to reach this national hotline that provides free 24/7, crisis counseling from trained counselors ready to help. This is a great resources for anyone struggling right now. 
• Feeding America: They are actively working with partner food banks to provide food and supplies to those in need after Hurricane Helene. Find a food bank near you here. 
• American Red Cross Red Cross volunteers are helping people across Helene’s path by providing food, disaster supplies, shelter, and additional help. You can also search their Shelter Locator if the hurricane has forced you to evacuate your home.
• The Defense Health Agency announced temporary prescription refill waivers and help with emergency fills for TRICARE beneficiaries in states and counties affected by Hurricane Helene. Find information for:
• Georgia beneficiaries
• Florida beneficiaries
• North Carolina beneficiaries
• Sol Relief: This non-profit based in St. Petersburg, FL engages the aviation community to serve areas impacted by disasters and humanitarian crisis by transporting critical supplies, aid workers and offering help.
• Hearts with Hands: A North Carolina–based nonprofit specializes in providing food and supplies during disasters. To see a list of ways to donate items or money or to volunteer to help with relief from Helene, visit the website here
• Volunteer Florida: A state-run agency providing relief after disasters, Volunteer Florida works with the Florida Division of Emergency Management to operate an emergency hotline (1-800-342-3557) and deploy volunteers to help those in crisis. Those interested in volunteering, donating money, or donating supplies can learn more here. 

For Those Able to Donate & Help:

Note: Do not show up to a disaster area to volunteer. Until a disaster area has been declared safe to enter and volunteer needs are identified, stay home and donate instead. It is more harm than good adding to the areas responsibilites and endangering yourself. Volunteers should only come once they have been given an assignment with an established organization that has asked for assistance. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency stated that donating money was better than donating materials like clothing. Organizations on the ground can put financial contributions to use where they are needed most. Anything can help.

• CARE: The Atlanta-based nonprofit is collecting funds to provide essential supplies and long-term recovery support for families in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
• A fund with the East Tennessee Foundation supports local nonprofits and agencies dedicated to rescue and recovery.
• Local chapters of the national coalition Voluntary Organizations Active In Disaster are asking for only cash donations for recovery efforts in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
• The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund helps with the “unmet needs of hurricane victims.”
• The Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities in the state.
• Donations to the Salvation Army will go to the distribution of emergency aid, food, and critical supplies to survivors and rescue workers in impacted states.
• Donate to the United Way, where funds will be distributed to local chapters for recovery efforts.
• Feeding America is collecting funds to provide meals and supplies to impacted areas.
• Donations are being accepted at Americares to deliver medicines and supplies to victims of the storm.
• GoFundMe is organizing its own fundraiser for disaster relief efforts.

 Donation organization resources via Vox & NYT.