Burke County would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has
generously donated and the thousands of volunteers who have committed time and
service in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The overwhelming support from our
community and beyond has been instrumental in helping us provide for those in need
during this challenging time.
Our donation room is full of surplus supplies, and the number of individuals seeking
assistance through donations continues to decrease now that power is rapidly restored.
Due to the abundance of supplies graciously donated, we will suspend accepting further
donations at 2128 S Sterling Street after 8 pm on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024. We plan to
suspend the donation center to shopping on Thursday, October 10th, 2024, at 5 pm.
Thanks to your incredible outpouring of support, the community is saturated with clean
water, food, hygiene supplies, blankets, and other items. Both functions can be
reorganized should the need arise. Burke County will continue to warehouse the surplussupplies and to serve as a Western North Carolina resource hub.
We understand that some may still need help with donated items, and we encourage those
community members to contact one of the local fire departments listed below.
PHASE II : Long Term Recovery Relief Fund
With the recovery of the power grid, public water and sewer infrastructure, and
transportation routes, the community is returning to work, school and their daily
responsibilities. This requires relief efforts to transition from short-term, life-sustaining
efforts to a more long-term relief strategy that supports housing, food and economic
insecurities.
We are encouraging those who still wish to contribute to donate to the Burke Community
Foundations Emergency Relief Fund. See link below: This fund is already over
$100,000 and growing. These resources will be used to source grants to community nonprofits with a specific focus on housing, food and economic insecurities created because
of Hurricane Helene. https://www.cfburkecounty.org/grants.html
As we move toward a sense of normalcy, we remain committed to supporting our citizens
in every way possible.