How you can help: Donation, volunteer opportunities following Hurricane Helene

Editor’s note: This list will be updated as information changes and more organizations respond. Do you know of a nonprofit asking for donations or volunteers? Email [email protected]

Many organizations in the Upstate are working to support the local community following the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene

Here is a list of local organizations and how residents can help. Check back regularly for updates. (Updated Oct. 1, 7:00 p.m.)

United Way of Greenville County

The United Way of Greenville County has launched a community relief fund in response to Hurricane Helene. The donations to the fund will be used for individuals and families struggling to access food, shelter and utilities. Monetary donations can be made at unitedwaygc.org/uwgc-relief.

The organization has also launched a donation drive. Residents are encouraged to drop off items at 105 Edinburg Court, Greenville from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Items needed include:

  • Canned goods
  • Boxed meals
  • Peanut butter and protein bars
  • Bottled water and sports drinks
  • Diapers, baby wipes and formula
  • Hygiene products (soap, toothpaste, feminine hygiene) 
  • First aid supplies
  • Cleaning supplies

Sustaining Way

Sustaining Way is hosting a hurricane relief donation drive on Oct. 2 to support residents in the Nicholtown community who were impacted by Hurricane Helene. Donations of shelf-stable foods that do not require cooking or refrigeration are requested. Other items are needed such as:

  • Air mattresses
  • Bedding
  • Manual air pumps
  • Baby food and formula
  • Diapers
  • Portable battery packs
  • Hygiene products
  • Rechargeable flashlights and lanterns
  • Dog and cat food

Donations can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4:30 to 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church located at 847 Cleveland St. 

Harvest Hope Food Bank

Volunteers are needed at Harvest Hope Food Bank to sort donations and distribute food. The nonprofit’s Upstate location serves Greenville and Laurens counties. It is located at 2818 White Horse Road, Greenville. 

Residents are invited to sign up to volunteer at https://give.harvesthope.org/volunteer_calendar

Miracle Hill Ministries

Miracle Hill Ministries, an organization that provides services for homeless adults and children, is requesting donations for its rescue missions and addiction recovery centers. Items needed include:

  • Bottled water
  • Pre-cooked meat
  • Dry food
  • Propane
  • Batteries (AA and AAA)
  • Flashlights

Residents can drop off their donations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 725 Keith Drive, Greenville. Monetary donations can also be made directly to Miracle Hill at miraclehill.org/give. For more information, call 864-704-9838.

United Ministries

United Ministries needs non-expired unopened food items that do not require a can opener for its food pantry. This includes canned meats, crackers, fruit cups, bottled water, kids’ snacks, noodles in a cup, juice, and more. 

Food items can be dropped off at 606 Pendleton St, Greenville. Families and individuals in need can pick up food from the same location from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. or until gone from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4. 

Loaves and Fishes

Loaves and Fishes
Loaves & Fishes new produce truck. Photo provided

Loaves and Fishes, a nonprofit food rescue organization, is asking for donations of shelf-stable foods that do not need to be cooked or refrigerated. This includes bread, peanuts, beef jerky, flour tortillas, apples, protein pouches and more. Donations of instant foods such as instant noodles or mashed potatoes are also being accepted.

To donate, call 864-232-3595 or email [email protected] to arrange a drop-off time with the organization. 

A Child’s Haven

A Child’s Haven is asking for monetary donations for its emergency relief fund that will help keep their services running. The nonprofit organization provides therapeutic care to children who are victims of abuse and neglect. 

Donations can be made online at https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/a-childs-haven/basic-online-gift. Residents are also encouraged to contact MaKayla Patterson at [email protected] or Rebekah Muhilly at [email protected] to learn about other ways they can support the nonprofit. 

Dog Culture

Dog Culture is running a pet supply drive for local animal shelters. Items such as pet food, crates, clean blankets, bedding, clean towels, treats, toys, cat litter and more are requested. 

The donations can be dropped off at Dog Culture’s Greenville and Mauldin locations. For more information, visit https://www.instagram.com/p/DAlRp7eu96y/?hl=en.

M. Judson Booksellers

M. Judson Booksellers will host a food and relief drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 5. The items requested for donation include batteries, flashlights, pet food, bottled water, first aid products, shelf-stable foods, gas containers, diapers, hygiene products and more. 

The items will go towards supporting those impacted by Hurricane Helene. M. Judson Booksellers is hosting the event for Loaves and Fishes Greenville and Happy Helicopters. Community members are encouraged to drop off items at the bookstore 130 S. Main St. in Greenville. For more information, email [email protected].

Bike Walk Greenville

Bike Walk Greenville is asking residents to help clean up the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail following Hurricane Helene. Those who can safely access the trail are encouraged to DM the organization with their availability and location on Facebook or Instagram

Storm damage and fallen trees from Hurricane Helene along the Swamp Rabbit Trail left many areas impassible.
Storm damage and fallen trees from Hurricane Helene along the Swamp Rabbit Trail left many areas impassible. Greenville Journal photo

Meals on Wheels Anderson

Meals on Wheels is asking for volunteers to help cover routes and deliver food over the next few days to seniors and homebound individuals in Anderson County. For anyone interested, call 864-225-6800 or email [email protected]

The Blood Connection

Eligible community members are asked to donate platelets or whole blood to The Blood Connection. The organization’s Upstate locations include:

  • Greenville – 435 Woodruff Road
  • Easley – 5116 Calhoun Memorial Highway
  • Anderson – 101 Hanna Crossing
  • Spartanburg – 270 N. Grove Medical Park Dr.
  • Oconee (Seneca) – 1308 Sandifer Boulevard

To donate platelets, schedule an appointment by calling 864-751-1168. For whole blood donation appointments, visit https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/zip.

Greer Relief

Greer Relief needs food donations and volunteers. The nonprofit organization is asking for donations of perishable and non-perishable foods such as:

  • Soup
  • Breakfast
  • Peanut butter
  • Canned veggies
  • Pasta and pasta sauce
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Cheese

Volunteers to sort and distribute the food are also requested. Greer Relief is located at the Indigo Hope Neighborhood Impact Center at 113C Berry Ave. in Greer. The emergency disaster food relief distribution will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Sept. 20 until Oct. 4. 

For more information, email [email protected].

Homes of Hope

Homes of Hope is requesting more volunteers to help clean up the 25 homes that were damaged by Hurricane Helene. The nonprofit organization creates affordable housing for families across the Upstate. 

People with experience with chainsaws and clearing brush are preferred. Those interested can fill out the volunteer form found on the organization’s Instagram or send a direct message. 

Homes of Hope is also asking for monetary donations to fund the home repairs along with the resident’s insurance deductible expenses and possible rent loss. Donations can be made at https://homesofhope.org/donate/.

Read more related Hurricane Helene updates here

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