Building Resilience: Collaborative Recovery Efforts in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

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

photo courtesy of Vecinos

Hurricane Helene has caused widespread devastation across Western North Carolina, severely impacting individuals and communities.

Our communities are working tirelessly together to support one another as the region recovers. As part of these recovery efforts, the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation has taken proactive measures to collaborate with and provide grants to various organizations throughout the community.

Together, they are working tirelessly to ensure that essential recovery resources and support reach those who have been most impacted by the storm.

During the storm, the International Friendship Center’s Highlands Food Pantry faced a critical challenge with a three-day power outage, putting their perishable food supplies at risk. To prevent losses, the pantry quickly improvised by using a temporary diesel generator and transferring frozen goods to smaller freezers. However, this incident underscored the urgent need for a reliable, permanent backup power solution.

With a grant from the Health Foundation, the pantry will be able to acquire and install a propane-fueled standby generator. This will ensure an uninterrupted power supply to their refrigeration units, safeguarding their food inventory and enabling continuous operations during future emergencies.

“The Health Foundation continues to demonstrate why they are such an important community partner in Highlands and Cashiers, said International Friendship Center Executive Director TJ Smith. “Their response to Helene – to make available funds to meet needs that were a direct result of this disaster – was a much-needed resource to so many nonprofits working directly with those impacted on the Plateau.”

In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the staff at Vecinos went above and beyond to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. With over 800 home visits conducted within the first 10 days following the storm’s landfall, Vecinos staff worked diligently to assess the needs of residents across Western North Carolina. What emerged from these assessments were pressing needs for food, essentials, home repairs, income assistance, and more. Vecinos has played a vital role in providing a range of services to support their patients, from replacing essential work tools to helping with rental payments and clothing replacement.

To sustain their outreach efforts, Vecinos will utilize the Health Foundation’s grant to continue providing critical services to those in need. This ongoing support encompasses home repairs, income assistance, utility bill payments, and other vital needs arising from Hurricane Helene’s aftermath.

“The Health Foundation’s support of Vecinos enables a comprehensive and adaptable approach to disaster relief and recovery,’ said Marianne Martinez, CEO of Vecinos. “Recognizing that Hurricane Helene exacerbated existing inequities, the Health Foundation is helping us address immediate needs while integrating disaster planning as a core component of our long-term infrastructure. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and commitment to building a more resilient community.”

Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation believes that working together highlights the resilience and unity of the community during times of crisis and recovery. A comprehensive approach to supporting the Highlands Food Pantry, Vecinos, and other organizations is making a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by Hurricane Helene. These efforts ensure that recovery is sustained and communities are rebuilt stronger than before.