Helene Recovery
Only 8 weeks ago, a brutal storm that is aptly being compared to Katrina ripped through our entire service area, causing unimaginable damage, and taking with it over 100 people from our region, including members of our queer community.
To aid in the recovery, Blue Ridge Pride has launched several initiatives for the LGBTQIA2S+ community, all of which can be supported through donating to our Hurricane Helene Recovery Fund:
Weekly Distribution: Our office at 1330 Patton Ave. Suite A is open every week on Mondays 2-6 PM and Wednesdays 12-4 PM with free supplies: food, cleaning and hygiene supplies, cold weather accessories, pet and baby food, and more.
1:1 Financial Assistance: for property rehab, evacuation, or lost wages support. Up to $400/family, payable to payees. Grocery, hardware, and pharmacy gift cards also available. We have also helped 12 households with eviction prevention. Applications are currently paused until we receive more funds
Queer-Led Organization Support: We have made $2,000 in donations of survival and cold weather equipment to other nonprofits and mutual aid groups, and will continue this as we see channels of quickest and most-lasting recovery support. We are also sponsoring a queer power tools workshop with Skills Academy for Women in January as part of our Helene response.
Mental Health Support: We have onboarded a local and queer Counseling Intern to see clients in our new office in West Asheville on a deeply affordable sliding scale ($0-$40). Email Sheri for more information: skeller@blueridgepride.org
Volunteer Coordination: We are now taking applications for volunteers who wish to assist with our weekly distribution site. Please express interest by filling out our Volunteer application and selecting “Hurricane Relief:”
These efforts are funded in part by an Emergency grant from The Community Foundation of WNC, a grant from Junior League of Asheville, and many generous donors.
Please check out these other queer-led mutual-aid efforts: BeLoved Asheville, Pansy Collective, Rural Organizing and Resilience, Tranzmission, Skills Academy for Women
The WNC Mutual Aid Switchboard is connecting folks in need with teams to help, including:
Medical Support (Wellness Checks, Medical Supplies, Pop-Up Clinics)
All the incredible supply distros all throughout the region, as well as supply deliveries for those that cannot get to their nearest distro
Different crews providing community scale water and flush water
The epic chainsaw folks going around and helping folks with tree work
Volunteer crews to help with Muck & Gut and Home Repair
Text “Helene” to 51905 or fill out their request form:
Weekly LGBTQIA2S+ Resource Centers & Community Spaces
Hosted by Blue Ridge Pride, Campaign for Southern Equality, and Tranzmission
Mondays
Blue Ridge Pride Resource Center, 2 - 6 PM
1330 Patton Avenue, Suite A
Food, baby supplies, hygiene supplies, pet food, cold weather items
Tuesdays
Tranzmission: Supplies/Dry Goods Distribution, 4 - 6 PM
Trash bags, Pet food and supplies, Cleaning products, Diapers and Wet Wipes, Toilet paper, Menstrual products, hygiene supplies, Clothes, cold weather items, masks, water, and flush water
Email info@tranzmission.org for location and any questions.
Wednesdays
Blue Ridge Pride Resource Center, 12 - 4 PM
1330 Patton Avenue, Suite A, Asheville
Food, baby supplies, hygiene supplies, pet food, cold weather items
Thursdays
Campaign for Southern Equality Supply & Resource Center, 11 AM - 5 PM (now once monthly)
20 Oak Street, Asheville (downtown)
Health, hygiene and wellness supplies (including binders, menstrual products, make up); winter clothing; household items; support navigating LBTQ+ friendly resources
Tranzmission Resource Center, 4 - 6 PM
Food pantry, household items, clothing closet, and application for microgrants
Email info@tranzmission.org for location
Fridays
Tranzmission Resource Center, 4 - 6 PM
Food pantry, household items, clothing closet, and application for microgrants
Email info@tranzmission.org for location
Saturdays
Tranzmission Resource Center, 4 - 6 PM
Food pantry, household items, clothing closet, and application for microgrants
Email info@tranzmission.org for location
Other Resources
The City of Asheville and Buncombe County share emergency and recovery news on their websites.
Blue Ridge Public Radio has a text-only site for following the most recent updates on low band-width: https://text.bpr.org/
You can apply for FEMA assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362. More information from FEMA about Hurricane Helene can be found here: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4827
A collection of mutual aid efforts and community-compiled resources can be found here: https://linktr.ee/wnc.helene.aid
LGBTQ+ Inclusive Resource Centers:
BeLoved Relief Center, at 32 Old Charlotte Highway, is open Monday-Saturday 9 AM-4:30 PM, providing food, baby supplies, health, hygiene and wellness supplies, household items, and clothing.
Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church Relief Center, at 789 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, is open every day 12 - 4 PM, providing food, baby supplies, health, hygiene, and wellness supplies, household items, and resource navigation.