Many local businesses need a helping hand to weather the post-Helene storm. | Photo via Highland Brewing
Alongside the individuals dealing with Hurricane Helene’s aftermath, countless local businesses and organizations felt the impact of the storm. Many had to shut down operations, and others lost their facilities entirely. But they, along with the rest of our community, are beginning to rebuild.
So we’ve started a list of artists, businesses, and nonprofits that have shared post-Helene fundraisers — so that you (and your out-of-town friends and family) can help by clicking the links to donate and sharing these campaigns with your network.
This article will continue to be updated, so please email us your fundraising campaigns.
Note: These links were collected through the websites and social media channels of the businesses they support or were emailed directly to us by representatives of the business.
Businesses that lost their buildings
So many businesses and organizations became inoperable after the storm, but some local spots lost even more than revenue. This section is dedicated to those organizations and businesses who spaces sustained significant damage.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Proclaimed in 2018 by Gov. Roy Cooper as an observed holiday in NC, this day honors the past, present, and futures of Native people across the US.
Civic
Last Thursday, crews began pressurizing and filling the newly connected North Fork bypass waterline. Local teams and the EPA are treating the turbid reservoir water in stages and beginning to move highly chlorinated water through the lines. No timeline has been given, but learn more about the process — and the steps to take when you get water back.
Health
As you clean up after the storm, Buncombe County Health and Human Services has encouraged people to be prepared for the risk of tetanus. If a wound is exposed to dirt or floodwater, visit a doctor and make sure your immunization is up to date. Find where to get your shot. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Arts
ArtsAVL has launched the Emergency Relief Grant to help area artists of all disciplines in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The $500 stipends will be available for arts professionals in any WNC county impacted by the storm, and applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Shop
In partnership with the North Asheville Tailgate Market, the RAD Farmers Market is setting up shop in the Stein Mart lot (848 Merrimon Ave.) this Wednesday, Oct. 16. From 3 to 6 p.m., you can shop for goods and produce from the market’s regular vendors.
Wellness
Jewish Family Services of WNC has started a free weekly support group called “After the Storm: Healing Together.” The therapist-led sessions will be held at the organization’s office (53 S. French Broad Ave.) every Tuesday at 12 p.m. Check out these other mental health resources around town.
Learn
Local nonprofit Resources for Resilience is hosting virtual trainings for anyone helping the community. “Reconnecting Through Hard Times” will examine the impact of crises on mental health and provide tools to support yourself and others. One-hour classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Nov. 21.
Number
$1,961,246. That’s how much the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina distributed to nonprofits in the first week of the Emergency and Disaster Response Fund. The fund mobilizes resources and gets funds to frontline organizations providing relief and recovery services.
22%. That’s how much car insurance prices are expected to increase by the end of the year. The average premium is expected to reach $2,469. Are you prepared? View Money’s “Best Car Insurance” list to shop around + see if you could save.*
The next water service update will take place at tomorrow’s briefing. | Photo via Buncombe County
The following article is being updated on our website daily. Click the button at the bottom of this section to read the full story.
Sunday, Oct. 13 updates
Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder began the briefing with a moment of silence, reflecting, “For me, a Sunday morning typically involves reflection and gratefulness for our many blessings. Our community has been through an incredibly devastating event and I would like to take a moment of silence on this Sunday morning to acknowledge the tremendous impact to our community, the loss of friends and family, and even the loss of a basic sense of security for so many.”
Trash and recycling pickup resumes today
WastePro will resume recycling on Monday, Oct. 14. The City of Asheville will also resume trash and recycling services on the same day.
WastePro will run regular routes for household trash and recycling in Leicester. For areas that are not accessible, a trash truck will be at Leicester Elementary (31 Gilbert Rd.) from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday only. This service is for bagged trash only, not storm debris.
Water and food distribution sites are not accepting trash.
There are many needs that we’re all having to meet after this storm — and while schools are still closed, education is one of them. So Literacy Together and The Whale have partnered for an ongoing Children’s Book Drive. Each day, from 1 to 8 p.m., you can drop off new or gently used children’s books at The Whale West Asheville (507 Haywood Rd., #10), and the nonprofit will distribute them to local families.
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