The southern United States bore the brunt of two major hurricanes last week, each leaving a swath of destruction through states like Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia. Federal disaster response teams, including the military and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), are on the ground to help, as are local volunteers and first responders.
In addition, various charitable organizations are working to supply food, shelter, and other critical services to the storm victims. These groups rely upon direct support from donors to do their work and are actively soliciting support for their Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton response efforts.
Charity Navigator, a nonprofit organization that rates and reviews charitable organizations based in part on the percentage of donations that go directly to providing services, has compiled a list of local, state, and national organizations that you can donate to with the knowledge that most or all of your money will go to people in need, not administration or fundraising.
Hurricane Help
Charity Navigator’s endorsed charities for Hurricane Helene include:
Greater Good Charities: on the ground in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, providing emergency services to people and pets.
Americares: deploying teams to Gulf states, delivering medicines, supplies and supporting health services after Hurricane Helene.
Heart to Heart International: deploying medical teams and delivering critical medicines and supplies to affected areas.
Mercy Chefs: faith-based organization providing meals to disaster victims, volunteers and first responders.
Team Rubicon: deploying route clearance teams to help remove debris and clear roadways in communities affected by both storms.
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County: working with the Buncombe County Government and their Emergency Operations center to provide critical services.
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue: providing animals with essential supplies.
Metropolitan Ministries: providing safe shelter and hot meals to local residents impacted by Helene.
Water Mission: faith-based group providing water to storm-affected communities.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina: providing food relief in affected areas.
Airlink, Inc.: works with airlines to deliver relief supplies to victims of both storms.
World Vision: faith-based group delivering urgent aid to families, including hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, water, bedding, and generators.
Global Giving: the GlobalGiving Hurricane Helene Relief Fund provides food, water, medicine, and shelter and supports long-term recovery; the group is also involved in Hurricane Milton relief.
Convoy of Hope: a faith-based organization providing disaster relief by distributing food, water, and supplies while helping communities recover from both storms.
North Carolina Community Foundation: supports mid- to long-term recovery efforts.
International Medical Corps: deployed an emergency team to Florida, coordinating with partners and providing medical supplies.
Lowcountry Food Bank: provides food to coastal communities in South Carolina.
Midwest Food Bank: preparing food, water, and cleanup kits for distribution to communities affected by Hurricane Helene.
Asheville Humane Society: rescuing pets affected by Hurricane Helene.
United Way of North Carolina: providing fundraising efforts for all of the affected NC communities.
American Red Cross: preparing shelters, mobilizing disaster workers, and sending supplies.
Center for Disaster Philanthropy: provides immediate and long-term assistance for victims of both Helene and Milton.
Direct Relief: supplying medical resources to healthcare facilities in Florida for communities affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.
All Hands and Hearts Smart Response: focusing on debris removal, tree clearing, mucking, gutting damaged homes, and mold sanitation for victims of both storms.
Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina: connecting first responders and sister food banks with additional nonperishable food, tarps, and other supplies to support local communities.
Top-rated charities involved in Hurricane Milton relief include many of the above organizations as well as:
