Hurricane Helene made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast in late September 2024 as a Category 4 storm. Over four days, torrential rain fell across the southern Appalachian Mountains, triggering catastrophic flooding in western North Carolina, Tennessee, southwestern Virginia, and Florida. Helene caused an estimated $78.7 billion in damage, ranking as the fifth-costliest Atlantic hurricane on record.

BBF mobilized immediately and sent three truckloads of bottled water, nutritional supplements, and hygiene kits to Asheville, North Carolina; Macon, Georgia; and Tampa Bay, Florida. BBF also provided financial assistance to seven food banks in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, along with ten Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and free clinics serving heavily impacted communities. As power outages persisted and temperatures dropped, BBF sent three additional truckloads of generators to help families begin recovery. In total, BBF provided nearly $1 million in grants, shipments, and donated supplies for Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Below are highlights from feedback we received from partners who worked with us during the response.

Second Harvest of the Big Bend (Florida)

Second Harvest of the Big Bend reported distributing over 2 million pounds of supplies—including dry food, produce, ice, water, and MREs—across its service area. BBF’s grant enabled the food bank to launch immediate large-scale distributions, reaching isolated rural communities within hours of the storm’s passing. Initially focused on emergency food and water, the effort expanded to provide sustained deliveries over several months, addressing medium- and long-term needs. The organization emphasized that rapid access to funding was critical for their ability to respond effectively and that long-term recovery funding remains a significant gap in disaster response.

Blue Ridge Health (North Carolina)

Blue Ridge Health (BRH) used BBF funds to offset income losses from providing free, unbudgeted emergency services in western North Carolina. In the immediate aftermath, BRH offered urgent care, pharmacy services, and outreach in shelters, churches, community centers, and neighborhoods across six counties. Services included wellness checks, medication support, counseling, vaccinations, debris cleanup, and resource delivery. The organization noted that BBF’s funding allowed them to maintain integrated, whole-person care during an unprecedented community crisis. Testimonial videos from Blue Ridge Health are available on BBF’s website for those wishing to hear more firsthand accounts of the impact.

Middle Georgia Community Food Bank (Georgia)

Middle Georgia Community Food Bank used its BBF grant to purchase ready-to-eat pouched chicken from a nearby processor, ensuring nutritious meals for households still without power. The purchase supported medium-term recovery, serving six counties affected by the hurricane. The organization noted that disasters often affect families regardless of income level, and having flexible funds allowed them to serve all households in need without the restrictions often tied to government-funded food programs.

Feeding Tampa Bay (Florida)

Feeding Tampa Bay used BBF’s grant to cover operational costs for hurricane relief efforts, which included three weeks of direct food distribution, cleanup kit delivery, and support services. The organization distributed over 4.5 million meals through 132 distributions, provided 41,470 hot meals, and served over 2,195 shoppers at its market. Feeding Tampa Bay also assisted with FEMA applications and resource navigation. 

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC (North Carolina)

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC distributed 1.84 million meals in response to Hurricane Helene, supporting both acute food needs and longer-term recovery. Ready-to-eat food boxes were a priority in areas without power or potable water. In addition to direct food assistance, the organization worked with local chefs to prepare hot meals for both residents and first responders. BBF’s grant supported these immediate efforts and contributed to the purchase of a new Disaster and Feeding Response Unit, improving future readiness by enabling the transport of large water tanks, generators, or a mobile kitchen.

MANNA FoodBank (North Carolina)

Between October 2024 and February 2025, MANNA FoodBank distributed 8.5 million meals, totaling 10.2 million pounds of food, including 1.3 million pounds of fresh produce. They provided “Manna Packs” to 105 schools, serving over 13,000 individuals at monthly community markets. The organization described the initial weeks as “chaotic” but underscored its determination to maintain service despite the disruption.

Golden Harvest Food Bank (Georgia and South Carolina)

Golden Harvest Food Bank delivered more than 915,000 meals and 1.81 million servings of water to affected communities, with a focus on rural counties where power restoration was delayed for weeks. The food bank rapidly transitioned to disaster relief boxes and increased food purchasing to meet demand. They emphasized the tremendous ongoing needs in communities balancing property loss, extended power outages, and, in some cases, loss of life.