How can the Myrtle Beach, SC area help with Helene recovery? Check out these resources
Although the effects of Hurricane Helene left the Grand Strand relatively unscathed, the storm devastated other communities. For those looking to send aid and assistance to areas battered by the storm, there are several ways to help.
While traveling to impacted areas can be a great help, the Federal Emergency Management Agency warns not to self-deploy. Instead, FEMA recommends volunteering with a trusted organization so you have adequate training, skills, safety and knowledge about where help is most needed.
There are also many local establishments around the Grand Strand accepting financial donations and supplies for communities recovering from the storm. These groups aren’t vetted charities, but could be a way to get involved locally.
Beach Church
Beach Church in Myrtle Beach is accepting donations to take to western North Carolina at the church’s reception office until 7 pm everyday this week.
Cooper’s Tavern
Cooper’s Tavern in Little River is collecting donations to bring to the Asheville, North Carolina area on Wednesday. People can drop off supplies at Cooper’s on Tuesday from 12 to 11 pm.
Georgetown First Assembly of God
Georgetown First Assembly of God is collecting donations to be transported to Asheville, North Carolina by local pilot Carter Sheridan.
Kösta Bowls
Kösta Bowls’s four locations in Myrtle Beach, Conway and Pawleys Island are accepting donations during store hours to take to western North Carolina.
Stella’s Homemade Ice Cream and Cakes
All Stella’s locations are taking donations for upstate and western North Carolina. Folks can also contribute to the Amazon wish list created for those impacted.
According to FEMA, financial contributions are the most effective donation method because they’re fast and flexible. Groups on the ground are best equipped to evaluate what the community needs and can use financial resources to buy supplies in bulk, sometimes from local businesses, which can aid in economic recovery.
If you want to make a monetary donation to an established organization, here are some tax-exempt charities accredited by the Better Business Bureau that are members of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and have announced responses to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene.
The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross has more than 900 disaster responders working to provide shelter, meals, supplies and support to people impacted by Helene. People interested in helping can apply to be a volunteer or make a donation online or by texting “HELENE” to 90999. Blood and platelets are also essential donations after a disaster situation. You can find a blood donation site here.
Americares
Americares, a global nonprofit dedicated to health and development, has workers in Florida and North Carolina to restore health services and support medical needs and relief efforts in communities Helene hit the hardest. The organization has offered assistance to 360 clinical partners in the impacted areas and is accepting donations online.
Direct Relief
Dedicated to providing emergency medical assistance and disaster relief domestically and internationally, Direct Relief has made its inventory of medical resources available to clinics and health centers impacted by the storm. The organization is working with healthcare facilities to distribute medications, medical supplies, emergency kits and more. Direct Relief is accepting donations to its Hurricane Helene response here.
Feeding America
Nationwide nonprofit network of more than 200 food banks Feeding America is working with partners to send food, supplies and support to people in the Carolinas, Florida and Georgia impacted by the storm. The organization is accepting Hurricane Helene disaster relief donations online here.
Heart to Heart International
Heart to Heart International, a nonprofit dedicated to improving healthcare access in under-resourced communities and disaster situations, sent teams to Florida, Georgia and North Carolina to assess flooding situations and communities’ needs. The organization is shipping hygiene kits and medical supplies to partners, offering aid to potential partners and stationing a medical team in an area that needs the immediate assistance. Heart to Heart is accepting donations for its Hurricane Helene Response online.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services is sending aid, food, supplies and support to survivors and rescue workers in five states. The organization is accepting donations online and contributors can mark that they would like their donation to support Hurricane Helene relief.
