Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation is Leading the Way with Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts

Written By: Josh Bryson, Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation | Issue: Winter 2025

The impact of Hurricane Helene has deeply affected people and communities across Western North Carolina. In response to these widespread effects, the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation has actively engaged in partnerships with many organizations across our region.

Together, they are working diligently to ensure that essential recovery resources and support are effectively distributed to those individuals and areas that have been hit the hardest by the storm. In addition to these extensive collaborative efforts, the Health Foundation is providing financial grants to assist in catalyzing and sustaining the ongoing recovery efforts within our community.

One of the key areas of focus for the Health Foundation’s relief efforts has been addressing food insecurity in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Many individuals and families struggled to access an adequate food supply in the wake of the storm. The damage to MANNA Food Bank in Asheville created a tremendous disruption in the supply of food to our local food banks.

To make up for this supply gap, many of the food banks were purchasing food from local stores to keep their shelves stocked. This created significant additional expenses to their bottom lines. To help with this, the Health Foundation distributed over $65,000 to support our local food banks and community organizations. This grant funding will help ensure our local organizations fighting food insecurity will have the resources they need to continue to support our community.

In addition to its efforts addressing food insecurity, the Health Foundation has dedicated over $93,000 to provide essential assistance for healthcare and mental health services in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Understanding the increased need for medical and psychological support in the aftermath of a natural disaster of this magnitude, these funds have played a crucial role in ensuring that individuals have vital access to care and resources required for their physical and emotional recovery from the trauma they have faced.

These grants have made a significant impact on the well-being and healing of those impacted by the hurricane, underscoring the Health Foundation’s dedication to comprehensive support and recovery efforts within the community.

Additionally, the Health Foundation has dedicated more than $72,000 to bolster recovery initiatives aimed at enhancing youth services, facilitating home repairs, strengthening emergency response efforts, and delivering aid to those severely affected by the storm.

Embracing a holistic strategy towards recovery, the Health Foundation’s commitment extends to rebuilding, restoring, and sustaining essential services for individuals most vulnerable in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Through these investments, the Health Foundation is actively contributing to the long-term restoration and well-being of the community post-disaster.

As recovery efforts continue, the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation has been collaborating with various organizations throughout our community to establish and implement comprehensive plans and allocate necessary resources for potential future large-scale events. By fostering partnerships and proactive measures, we aim to enhance preparedness and resilience, ensuring that our community is well-equipped to respond effectively to any significant challenges that may arise in the future.

Following Hurricane Helene’s significant impact on Western North Carolina, the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to a collaborative approach to relief and recovery.

By partnering with diverse organizations, the Foundation aims to enhance the community’s preparedness and resilience for future large-scale events. Through these continued efforts, the Health Foundation remains committed to facilitating a sustainable and supportive path toward recovery and the health and well-being of our community.