category: Community Resources Disaster Relief Resources By Gardner-Webb University On October 1, 2024 Your support is urgently needed Thanks for your prayers and support during this unprecedented event. Please remember that the community around campus is still recovering from this storm, so while we will continue campus operations as normal, we will be finding opportunities to serve our community in the coming days. With over 800,000 people still without power—and estimates that it will be Friday before it’s restored—we want to use this space to share resources available to those without power. If you know of other resources, send them to [email protected]. Donations, Pick-up Sites & Community Resources Cleveland County and Western North Carolina Disaster Relief Due to the abundance of generous donations, many locations in Western NC are halting the acceptance of supplies. We will continue to collect, but all donations will now be taken to United Way of Cleveland County to be distributed first to county residents in need and then to Western NC residents. Items Needed: Blankets Coats Batteries Flashlights Pop-top canned goods suttle wellness center – Gardner-Webb campus The Suttle Wellness Center is open at 7 a.m. with showers available in Bost Gym locker rooms. Bring University ID card for access. Suttle Hours:Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Counseling Services For students: The Gardner-Webb University Counseling Center provides academic, emotional, social, and vocational support as well as mental health consultation to students in a face-to-face setting on the main, Boiling Springs, campus or via tele-health within the state of North Carolina. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. To schedule an appointment please call or email us at:Phone: (704) 406-2729Email: [email protected] Emergency services are available on a 24-hour basis. In the event of an emergency, please call Gardner-Webb University Police at (704) 406-4444 or the after-hours crisis number, (704) 406-2599. For faculty and staff: Contact Human Resources for more information on scheduling individual counseling appointments through the Employee Assistance Program. Pastoral Care The Office of Christian Life and Service has a Pastoral Care Team that meets weekly to pray for specific needs on campus and to contact and minister to bereaved students. They are also available to meet with you and pray with you individually. In addition, this team facilitates weekly, campus-wide prayer meetings every Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. before The Gathering. Submit a Prayer Request Boiling Spring Baptist Church Boiling Spring Baptist Church is hosting a resource donation/pick-up site. The site has two objectives: A location for concerned citizens to drop off high-need items and resources A place where people can pick up needed supplies and resources Interested parties are encouraged to bring pre-packaged and non-perishable food, bottled water, other bottled drinks, Gatorade & hydration drinks, & toiletries (toilet paper, paper towels, baby wipes, deodorant, toothbrushes, & toothpaste). The site will be open daily from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Boiling Spring Baptist Church307 S Main StShelby, NC 28152.Please use the North Entrance. Support Recovery for NCICU Campuses As we assess the storm’s impact, it is clear that our institutions have faced significant challenges. With approximately 400,000 power outages across the state and numerous road closures, our campuses—including Brevard, Gardner-Webb, Lees-McRae, Lenoir-Rhyne, Mars Hill, Montreat, and Warren Wilson—are dealing with various degrees of damage and disruption. Some campuses lack power and safe access, heavily impacting our students and staff. Your understanding and support in this difficult time are greatly appreciated. You can contribute directly to the Independent College Fund of North Carolina to support the recovery of our campuses affected by Hurricane Helene. For more information, contact us at [email protected] or call 919.832.5817. Support NCICU Campuses Shelby and Cleveland County Ruby Hunt YMCA Hot Showers, Child Care Hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Shower, charge your phone, workout or hang out in the AC. Membership is not required and no extra fees. Schools’ out day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lunch provided for those attending and who may need it. If you can register online, or we will get you when you get here. Cleveland County Government Phone Bank The Phone Bank will provide information on where to find gas, groceries, medication, and other important resources and can be reached at (980) 484-4636. The Phone Bank will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until power has been restored to much of the county. Shelby Mission Camp, a ministry of Baptists on Mission 302 Sharpton Drive Shelby, N.C. The Mission Camp is providing emergency shelter for medically-fragile patients. To volunteer or donate items to the shelter, contact Christie at 704 472-0104. Items needed: Toilet paper and paper towels, tea bags to make sweet tea, lemonade mix, and cases of water. VIA Health Partners/Hospice of Cleveland County Collecting non-perishable and canned goods (items that don’t need electricity to open or prepare), nutritional beverages, wet wipes, and paper products, for patients and families. Drop off supplies at the Administrative Building at VIA Health Partners/Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby. Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Rutherford county Charging station United Way, 668 Withrow Road, Forest City, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, Charging Station, enjoy coffee and snacks, fill water jugs Rutherford County Emergency Management Text AlertRC to 888777 to also get all text updates. To make donations or need to speak to someone about supplies for you and your family, please call 828-278-8920. Please Note: This number is NOT for those looking for missing persons. Donation Drop Off Sites Florence Baptist Church, 201 S. Broadway St., Forest City Rutherford County Health Department, 221 Callahan Koon Road, Spindale Thomas Jefferson High School, 2527 US-221A Highway, Mooresboro, N.C. Gilkey Church of God, 255 Oak Springs Road, Rutherfordton Most needed: Canned fruits and veggies, pop top cans, canned meat and fist, canned beans and soup, cereal, oats and oatmeal, whole grain pasta and rice, peanut butter, hygiene items, household items, paper products, powdered milk, instant tea and coffee, cocoa, drink mixes, juice, dried meats, dried fruits, nuts, seeds and trail mix, granola and protein bars, single serving meals that do not require refrigeration or cooking, manual can openers, diapers, baby formula, feminine products. Centralized Donation Center Rutherford County, NC Emergency Management has established a central donation center at the Rutherford County Health Department, located at 221 Callahan Koon Road, Spindale. Donations can be dropped off at the center for distribution to the community. Suggested donation items: Bottled water Prepackaged snacks Toiletries Hand sanitizer Please Note: No home-cooked meals or fresh food. All food items must be pre-packaged. Rutherford County Transit Rides available to the donation centers. Please call Transit at 828-287-6339 to schedule a ride, if the road to your home is accessible. Polk county Polk County High School Polk County will have a supply distribution and donation drop off location for hygiene supplies, water, and other essentials at Polk County High School tomorrow, Tuesday from 1:00-6:00pm. Tryon International Many have asked if they can ship us donations to distribute to the first responders and via our pending supply center. The answer is YES: If you are unable to physically bring donations but want to ship supplies to Tryon International for distribution, you can do so at the below address. Tryon International Attn: Hurricane Donations 4066 Pea Ridge Road Mill Spring, NC 28756 If you are interested in making a financial contribution to recovery efforts, you may write a check to the Green River Foundation and mail to the above address with “Hurricane Helene relief” in the memo. 100% of your donation will go to the relief efforts in Polk, Rutherford, Henderson and Buncombe Counties in North Carolina and Spartanburg County, South Carolina. We will work with location agencies for that distribution. 100% of the contribution will be tax deductible. If you are interested in volunteering in recovery efforts, you may inquire here and we will get your information to the respective agencies that are seeking help. South Carolina South Carolina Resources Find Road Closings www.scdot.org – click on Storm Damages. Report trees blocking roads to SCDOT at 864-489-2844. General updates at scemd.org. If there is property damage from Hurricane Helene, report it using the Damage Assessment tool in the SC Emergency Manager app to notify authorities. Download the app on the App Store and on Google Play. Cherokee County, S.C. If you are Interested in volunteering for disaster relief recovery, call the citizen hotline number at 1-864-487-2587. Also call this number to report damages and to get information on food, water, and shelter. Road clearing is still in progress. Citizens are urged NOT to attempt to remove trees tangled with power lines. Food and water distribution sites 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Oct. 1 (after Oct. 1 TBA). Instructions: Follow entry directions, do not get out of the car, volunteers will load. We do not want to block traffic on major roads. Blacksburg Location (Broad River Baptist Church, 419 W. Cherokee St.) Please enter W. Lime Street (beyond Food Lion) off of Hwy 29, follow W Lime St. to S. Charleston St., turn left and then right into the church parking lot. Exit onto Hwy 29. Gaffney Location (Midway Recreation Complex Parking Lot, 580 Twin Lake Rd.) Please enter Overbrook Dr. onto Twin Lake Rd. and follow directional signs into the parking lot. Temporary Shelter Kirby Memorial Baptist Church (512 Chandler Drive in Gaffney) This is a safe place to stay the night. Outlets provided for medical equipment. Meals provided. Federal and State Resource FEMA Assistance for Homeowners & Renters: Assistance from FEMA may be available to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss, or other disaster-caused needs. Homeowners and renters within the Foothills Region (Rutherford, Polk, McDowell, and Cleveland Counties) are eligible to apply. To Apply for FEMA Assistance: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET daily. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. What You’ll Need When You Apply A current phone number where you can be contacted. Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying. Your Social Security number. A general list of damage and losses. Banking information if you choose direct deposit. If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name. If you have homeowners, renters, or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance. The Salvation Army The Salvation Army is providing meals and other assistance to residents in North and South Carolina. Those wishing to support the disaster response can donate online at helpsalvationarmy.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. When you support Salvation Army disaster services, 100% of your donation is applied to the disaster relief operation you select. If disaster donations exceed identified needs, excess funds will be restricted to support future disaster services. ReadyNC.gov To stay informed on the state’s response and resources, please refer to ReadyNC.gov. For those seeking immediate shelter, ReadyNC provides a resource of open shelters with availability. There are currently 19 general population shelters open to provide support and 2 state medical support shelters for those who require specialized healthcare attention. Anyone who needs someone to contact for support can reach out to the following resources: Call 911 for emergency assistance Call 211 for local resources (non-emergency) Call or text 988 for mental health support from a trained mental health professional Available 24/7 Free and confidential Call NC’s Peer Warmline (1-855-PEERS NC) to speak to a peer living in recovery from mental health or substance use issues Available 24/7 Free and confidential NC Baptist on Mission To volunteer in Western NC with Baptists on Mission Disaster Response, visit https://baptistsonmission.org/Mission-Projects/By-Mission-Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Helene Crisis Cleanup If you need help with damage clean up following Hurricane Helene, call Crisis Cleanup at 844-965-1386. All services are free. Service is not guaranteed. https://www.facebook.com/CrisisCleanup/ Volunteers may be able to assist with: Mucking out Cleaning up trees Tarping roofs Clearing debris Catholic Charities USA Catholic Charities USA, the official domestic disaster relief agency of the Catholic Church in the United States, has launched a dedicated Helene disaster relief campaign. Local Catholic Charities Agencies are on the ground providing life-sustaining assistance. To donate, click here. https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/what-we-do/disaster-relief/hurricane-helene-response/ The Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church Conference staff is working around the clock to check in with affected community leaders, clergy, and disaster response teams. To learn how you can help, click here. https://www.wnccumc.org/newsdetail/18662070?fbclid=IwY2xjawFpNJ1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHS6cqtOTL3IKkTjyPQW7T1A3ja39zEWKq4-uDWtekaghd_4O94kOVXLL7w_aem_7k-GqeNCDn5t6HN2i4kmmQ Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carlolina Leadership has communicated with partner churches in the areas impacted. They are assessing needs and developing an appropriate response plan. To get involved, click here. https://cbfnc.org/wnc-disaster-response-9-30/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFpNhJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcf2pcKQDqxNL6uTeTferQ1lMRY1-545L6LfmuCwAHSLkluEl3GMqTrwtg_aem_Y1UhcNM5oss_9APfYoxoBw United Way Hurricane Helene: Disaster Relief and Recovery fund Help us support those impacted by Hurricane Helene across the southeastern United States.The massive hurricane has resulted in the loss of life and destruction of entire communities. While first responders are actively deployed, the full scope of descruction is still unknown.United Ways in the impacted areas are mobilizing resources to meet the critical needs of those impacted and support long-term recovery efforts. Where help is needed most Donations will be directed to United Ways in the impacted region, with 5% retained by United Way Worldwide for administration costs. Secure Online Donation To donate by mail, please send your contribution to: NC Disaster Relief Fund, c/o United Way of NC 1130 Kildaire Farm Road Suite 100 Cary NC 27511 North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund is now accepting contributions for hurricane damage. Contributions help with the unmet needs of hurricane victims. Contributions are made online by secure link after you submit the webform below. Donate to the State of NC To donate by mail, please send your contribution to: North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund 20312 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699 If you have any questions, please visit our FAQs page. Samaritan's Purse Volunteer Opportunities Samaritan’s Purse responds to disasters across the country, and we lead construction and rebuild projects in the United States and internationally. You can find our complete list of volunteer opportunities on our Volunteer Opportunities page. North Carolina Department of Public Saftety Food, Water and Commodity Points of Distribution Efforts continue to provide food, water and basic necessities to residents in affected communities, utilizing both ground resources and air drops from the NC National Guard. Food, water and commodity points of distribution have been opened throughout western North Carolina. For information on these sites in your community, visit your local emergency management and local government social media and websites or visit //ncdps.gov/Helene. Missing Persons To report a missing person or request non-emergency support, please call NC 211 or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out-of-state. Road Closures NCDOT has posted at ncdot.gov an interstate detour map for travelers to avoid western N.C. Fatalities If you have an emergency or believe that someone is in danger, please call 911. To report that you have been unable to reach a person in Western North Carolina, please call 211. Volunteers and Donations Due to dangerous road conditions, and the need to maintain open routes for emergency operations, travel to Western North Carolina is strongly discouraged. Instead, consider the following options for donations and volunteer opportunities: If you would like to donate to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, visit //nc.gov/donate. If you are seeking information on volunteer opportunities, please visit //nc.gov/working/volunteer-opportunities/volunteernc. Storm Damage Cleanup If your home has damages and you need assistance with clean up, please call Crisis Cleanup for access to volunteer organizations that can assist you at 844-965-1386. Additional Assistance There is no right or wrong way to feel in response to the trauma of a hurricane. If you have been impacted by the storm and need someone to talk to, call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. Help is also available to anyone, anytime in English or Spanish through a call, text or chat to 988. Learn more at 988Lifeline.org. If you are seeking a representative from the North Carolina Joint Information Center, please email [email protected] or call 919-825-2599. If you would like general information, access to resources, or answers to frequently asked questions, please visit //ncdps.gov/helene. If you are seeking information on resources for recovery help for a resident impacted from the storm, please email [email protected].
