Hurricane Florence Relief

The effects of Hurricane Florence are still ongoing and our thoughts continue to be with those in the Forum family affected by this storm. Forum member, North Carolina Network of Grantmakers, is compiling information and resources related to the philanthropic response in the state. NCNG will continue to update the resource page as new information becomes available.

http://www.ncgrantmakers.org/Resources/Resources-for-Grantmakers-(1)

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) also has resources on its website, and will be doing a webinar this afternoon, September 18:

  1. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy has launched its 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season Fund. More information can be found here or if you wish to donate you can do so here.
  2. Tanya Gulliver-Garcia, Assistant Director of major initiatives gives an overview of disaster funding following disasters and offers advice for how philanthropists can effectively respond to all disasters, including hurricanes.
  3. CDP — with generous support from the UPS Foundation, and in close collaboration with the Southeast Council on Foundations, the Council on Foundations, and The Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities — will be hosting a webinar on Tuesday, September 18 at 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT to discuss Hurricane Florence’s impact and provide insight on how funders can support the recovery effort.

Lastly, CDP is keeping a profile of Hurricane Florence up to date on its website. Please check here daily for more information on the hurricane, as well as intel on critical needs and resources for how philanthropy can support the recovery effort.

United Way has a relief fund established as well.

If you have family, friends or coworkers who would like to do tangible supply assembly, VOAD makes use of United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Cleaning Kits, Hygiene Kits and School Kits.  Volunteers can gather, assemble and donate completed kits to UMCOR for this current Hurricane Florence effort and other future disaster relief efforts.

So please encourage anyone who is interested to follow the specific instructions for the assembly of these kits:  https://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Relief-Supplies.  There are lists of required supplies, an instructional video, shipping label and packing list.

Rivers Keep Rising and More Deaths Are Feared as Florence Pushes Away

People are still being rescued, even as the remnants of Hurricane Florence move out of the Carolinas. At least 31 people have been killed. Record-breaking rain has pushed rivers over their banks, and water levels are unlikely to recede fully for days.

Read more in New York Times.

In Flood-Hit Public Housing, a Reminder That the Poor Bear Brunt of Storms’ Fury

This week, after a brief evacuation, Keisha Monk returned to Trent Court to find that flooding from Florence had turned her place into a sodden wreck. She also realized that she was now a player in the kind of redevelopment drama that tends to swamp storm-battered places like this — a story of race, class, gentrification and safety fears, and questions without easy answers about who gets to live on often alluring, sometimes treacherous, waterside real estate.

Read more in New York Times.

Florence Recovery Page on United Way Online

America’s Charities lists additional organizations working on relief efforts in the Carolinas:

  • Feed the Children delivering over 400,000 pounds of food and disaster supplies to community partners in vulnerable areas.
  • The Salvation Army National Capital Area has officers and staff on site in the Carolinas to assist families with food and spiritual care. Monetary donations allow for us to purchase and serve food and water to those in need.
  • Best Friends Animal Society is working with partner organization throughout the affected areas to identify shelters/rescue groups in need of help. We’ve already started supporting many with transporting animals out of the area, and will continue post-hurricane to ensure that as many animals as possible are moved to safety.

Feeding America is working with its network of local foodbanks to deploy and provide support, food and supplies to people in communities impacted by Hurricane Florence. For every dollar donated, the Feeding America network of food banks can secure and distribute at least 10 meals to those recovering from the storm.