Hurricane Helene

We are working closely with government agencies and our Community Impact Partners to evaluate and address the impacts of Hurricane Helene in our Midlands community.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, United Way of the Midlands is committed to supporting our neighbors through this challenging time and beyond.

We are working closely with government agencies and our Community Impact Partners to evaluate and address the impacts of Helene in the Midlands. While the storm has passed, we recognize that many areas are still dealing with ongoing flooding and its effects. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this disaster as we come together to rebuild and recover. 

This page will be updated regularly as new information becomes available. If you have an update, please contact us at lgould@uway.org. 

How to Get Help

If you've been affected by Hurricane Helene and need assistance, here are some resources available to you:

  • Emergency Information: Visit the South Carolina Emergency Management Division website for up-to-date information on the situation and official guidance.
  • Non-Emergency Assistance: In Helene's wake, many are facing shortages of food, water, and shelter. If you or someone you know needs non-emergency assistance, please contact SC 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or texting "HELP" or "AYUDA" to 211-211, or go to sc211.org.
  • If you need help with damage cleanup after Hurricane Helene,  reach out to Crisis Cleanup at 844-965-1386.
    • Volunteers may assist with:
      -Mucking out
      -Tree cleanup
      -Tarping roofs
      -Debris clearing
      All services are free, but availability isn’t guaranteed.
  • For individuals with disabilities, please use Able SC's emergency line at 800.681.6805 or their website: https://www.able-sc.org/. If calling after business hours, please call 1.803.233.2974 or 1.803.233.2616.
  • Newberry County Residents: The Salvation Army and The Lutheran Church of The Redeemer are providing a free meal each day for all in the community starting Monday, October 7.
    • Time: Daily, 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
    • Location: 1515 Boundary St, Newberry, SC 29108

How to Give Help

While the full impact of Hurricane Helene is still unfolding, your support can make a significant difference in our community's recovery. We're working closely with our partner agencies in the community to keep this information updated as conditions evolve.

Donate Money

  • Midlands Community Response Fund: The Midlands Community Response Fund is a joint initiative of Central Carolina Community Foundation, United Way of the Midlands, United Way of Sumter, Clarendon and Lee Counties, United Way of Kershaw County, and United Way of the Lakelands.
  • United Way Association of South Carolina Disaster Fund: All funds raised through this form will be directed to help recovery and relief efforts for South Carolina residents affected by Hurricane Helene. You will be able to choose the county you'd like to help. The United Way Association of South Carolina will underwrite all administrative costs associated with dispersing these funds, and 100% of funds received will go directly to supporting recovery efforts.
     

DONATE SUPPLIES

  • Neighbors United Drive: United Way of the Midlands will be collecting supplies to replenish local food pantries and provide essential relief items. Donations will be sent directly to United Ways in the areas most affected by Helene, and future storms that may impact our state this hurricane season.
    • Wednesday, October 9, through Monday, October 14
    • Drop-off donations at our office, 1818 Blanding Street in Columbia, during our regular business hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m., M – F).
    • Please donate new items only, in original packaging. No expired or used items. No clothes.
    • Non-perishable food:
      • Snack items (peanut butter, crackers, applesauce, etc.)
      • Canned goods with pop tops (vegetables, beans, fruits)
      • Canned or Pouch Proteins (tuna, chicken)
      • Microwavable meals (pop-top cans of soup, ramen, etc.)
    • Relief supplies:
      • Hygiene products (soap, toothpaste, feminine hygiene, toilet paper, etc.)
      • Cleaning supplies (disinfectant wipes, trash bags, paper towels, etc.)
      • Baby essentials (diapers, baby wipes, formula, etc.)
      • Flashlights & batteries
  • Harvest Hope Food Bank is accepting food donations at their Midlands location (2220 Shop Road, Columbia, SC 29201). Most needed items are:
    • Microwavable Pop-Top Meals
    • Microwavable Pop-Top Cans of Soup
    • Pop-Top Canned Goods (vegetables, beans)
    • Canned or Pouch Proteins Packed in Water (tuna, chicken)
    • Snack Items (granola bars, peanut butter, crackers)
  • Mission Lexington is accepting food donations at 216 Harmon Street, Lexington, SC 29072. Most needed items are:
    • Peanut Butter
    • Soup (any kind)
    • Canned Tuna or Chicken
  • Transitions is in need of supplies due to an influx of clients. Most needed items are:
    • Water
    • Emergency Sleeping Pads (50)
    • Small bar soaps
    • Toiletries
    • Contact Shanice Bligen at sbligen@transitionssc.org for more information.
  • Latino Community Development is in need of supplies at 209 Dawson Road, Unit 1, Columbia, SC 29223.
    • Water
    • Batteries
    • Flashlights
    • Charging stations
    • Please reach out to Tanya Rodriguez-Hodges at 803-227-8984 for more information.
  • Irmo Area Residents: Union Methodist Church at 7582 Woodrow St, Irmo, SC 29063 is in need of donations including:
    • Paper products
    • Cleaning supplies
    • Dry breakfast items for children. 
    • For more information, contact Stacey Atkinson at sfatkinson@icloud.com.
  • Columbia Housing is in need of food for tenants who have no power and whose food has spoiled.
  • Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center's We Care 2 Clothing Bank at 1218 Bachelor St., West Columbia, SC 29169 is running out of resources. They are in need of:
    • Clothing
    • Personal supplies
    • Cold and dry food
    • Dairy products
    • Canned and fresh vegetables
    • Water, Gatorade, etc.
    • Please contact (803)744-7943 or email Theresa Hill at thill@brookland.cc.
  • Senior Resources is seeking donations of non-perishable food and supplies to refill their Senior Care Pantry, as it's nearly empty following the storm.
    • Needed items:
      • Pop-top cans of soup, tuna, or chicken
      • Chewy granola bars or cereal bars
      • Pasta/sauce
      • Fruit cups/applesauce
      • Peanut butter & jelly
      • Raisins/dried fruit
      • Powdered/shelf-stable milk
      • Bottled water
      • Juice boxes (no grapefruit juice)
    • Drop-Off Location: 2817 Millwood Ave. Columbia, SC 29025
    • Donation Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Brookland Baptist Church, Northeast is in need of the following supplies for their neighbors who are still without power. Please drop-off donations today by 5 p.m. at Leevy's Funeral Home (1831 Taylor St, Columbia, SC 29201) or 6 p.m. at Greenview Park (6700 David St, Columbia, SC 29203).
    • Water
    • Items to make sandwiches (lunch meat, cheese, bread, peanut butter, jelly, etc.)
    • Chips
    • Fruit
    • Bags of ice
    • Baby wipes
    • Toiletries
    • Hand sanitizer
    • Flashlights
  • Aiken Salvation Army Shelter at 604 Park Ave SE, Aiken, SC 29801 has been without power since Friday. They are in need of:
    • Fresh towels
    • Wash clothes
    • Contact them at AikenSC@uss.salvationarmy.org.

Volunteer

  • Harvest Hope Food Bank needs volunteers to assist with their Emergency Food Pantry. Click here to sign up for a volunteer shift.
  • Senior Resources urgently needs volunteers to help with meal delivery for their Meals on Wheels program. Click here to sign up.
  • Serve & Connect Hurricane Relief Packing Event on October 3, 2024. Volunteers will be packing 3,000 Greg's Groceries boxes & 1,000 hygiene kits to send to hardest-hit areas in South Carolina and Western North Carolina. **UPDATE: all volunteer spots have been filled and resources allocated!**
  • Team Rubicon: Volunteer to Help Hurricane Helene Survivors! Another great way to help Florida hurricane victims is by volunteering for disaster relief operations. Team Rubicon volunteers—or Greyshirts—who want to step into the arena should watch their email and phone for deployment opportunities, and register their availability in Roll Call. Not yet signed up as a disaster relief volunteer? Join Team Rubicon and become a Greyshirt to help hurricane survivors.
  • Fairfield Forward is looking for volunteers to help assist with packaging FoodShare boxes for the communities in need throughout Fairfield County.
        When: Tuesday, October 8, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
        Where: 100 Tidewater Dr, Winnsboro, SC 29180
        Contact: Genita Green, 803-767-7042, movingfairfieldforward@gmail.com