On Going Response to Hurricane Helene

Mushroom Log Inoculation - FREE Workshop
Wednesday October 23rd
3-4:30pm
Bountiful Cities Pearson Garden
This is an unprecedented time of loss for our community, we have lost so much including trees that were near and dear. Many of those trees can be valuable in other ways now that they are no longer standing. In this workshop learn how to use logs to make food, with a particular emphasis on using reclaimed wood downed during Hurricane Helene. 
Register in advance for FREE
This workshop is presented in collaboration with the City of Asheville
Our Staff - Resources and Resilience
Farmer Kelly lives out in the Grovemont Neighborhood in Swannanoa and plugged into community efforts there once she was able to leave her home. Many families lost everything in this area and there are still people who are missing. After trees were cleared she went to the East End Valley Street Community to donate food, water, and goods. She has been volunteering with multiple mutual aid efforts in Swannanoa and gathering donations to fill supply gaps as they arise.
Supply needs are constantly changing but one way to contribute that will not change is the need for monetary donations to those who lost homes, businesses, farms, jobs, and more. To learn more about these needs follow this link: Hurricane Helene Relief . Lastly Farmer Kelly is helping to coordinate with the Warren Wilson College Farm to help farmers receive hay and feed donations for their livestock! If you have round hay bales or farm animal feed that you would like to donate contact Kelly at [email protected]
Hot Springs Elementary FEAST Instructor Natalie Hesed was on the ground supporting community during Hurricane Helene and this is her story... Hot Springs is a town that straddles both the French Broad River and Spring Creek. In hurricane Helene, both of these rose up to unthinkably high levels a and flooded many businesses and homes.... read more here.
Donate to Support Bountiful Cities Resilience and Recovery Efforts - we need your help!
We are proud to have the support of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina in the form of Emergency Disaster Relief. They will be providing partial funding of our work on resilience building education, immediate disaster relief, and fresh food distribution.
Community Resources
 
Govenor Cooper Increases UnempolymentGovernor Roy Cooper issued an emergency Executive Order authorizing the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security, to increase the amount of weekly unemployment payments available to North Carolinians in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Read the details here:
https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2024/10/16/governor-cooper-issues-executive-order-increasing-unemployment-payments-north-carolinians-wake#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThis%20Executive%20Order%20will

D-Snap Benefit Application Open
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has received approval to implement the first phase of the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).
People are encouraged to apply by phone at the D-SNAP Virtual Call Center at 1-844-453-1117 or complete a pre-registration online using the ePASS Pre-Registration Tool, which will open on Oct. 15 for pre-registration and close on Oct. 22. Applicants will then receive a call to complete the registration with an interview over the phone. People can also apply at a D-SNAP location in their county. For a full list of places to apply and for more details, visit ncdhhs.gov/dsnap.
Agricultural RecoveryHere is a link to information shared by our Urban Agricultural Extension Agent Michael Rayburn, compiled by FEMA specifically for growers:
 https://www.bountifulcities.org/latest-news/fema-information

And here is information with soil management recommendations:
https://www.bountifulcities.org/latest-news/hurricane-helen-urban-agriculture-info

Supply Request Form
From Nnweyna Smith:
I have been working with Sekou Coleman of RSAA to coordinate getting supplies to the Legacy Neighborhood Coalitions through the newly established warehouse at Collaborativa La Milpa. Now tell us what you need. 
Please help us coordinate supplies and connect to everyone in our community, complete this document for your organization, group, church. etc.:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfUgXIMK0up-SqadKc_nByN11kf8ggK3lErEZmK_kdUbH8djQ/viewform
 
If you are having any issues with completing or accessing this document - call or text me at 828.785.2595 - I can assist you with this process.

Also let me know if you want me to send you this link to your cell phone number for easier access.

In service and gratitude,
Nnweyna




Nnweyna Smith
She/Her
Community Equity and Inclusion Analyst
Equity and Human Rights Office



ASAP Offers Farmers Disaster Assistance
Here is a link to resources and grants compiled by ASAP to assist growers and farmers in their recovery efforts:
https://asapconnections.org/farmer-resources/emergency-relief/
Elected Officials Update
Here is a link to KEY updates and resources compiled by Asheville City and Buncombe County:
https://files.constantcontact.com/d1576b0e901/a7c93ce1-2c80-434a-845b-ddae9aaa082a.pdf

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