Hurricane Relief Efforts Roundup and Updates! Updates since October 15
In the month or so since Hurricane Helene hit parts of Florida, Western North Carolina, Tennessee, and parts of South Carolina and since Hurricane Milton hit most of Florida we have been busy providing direct relief resources and funding to organizations that are on-the-ground supporting those impacted by the hurricane.
We know that food insecurity becomes a greater issue during a natural disaster, which is why to-date we have been able to provide thousands of dollars in direct relief efforts to some great organizations, some of which are members of our Food Security Network.
Learn more about where funding has been going and how it is positively impacting the lives of individuals impacted by both Hurricane Helene AND Hurricane Milton below.
And remember, your donations help us continue to provide this direct financial relief and support!
We have changed the way we accept donations to make it easier to get those funds to individuals with little-to-no service! We now have a Venmo account that you can directly donate to.
Search @Kellys-Kitchen on Venmo and you will find us! Any amount helps!
Highlighting Organizations On-The-Ground Who Have Received Funding from Kelly’s Kitchen
Chef Terri Terrell and the Leicester Food Coalition in Leicester, North Carolina
We continue to support and work alongside Chef Terri Terrell as Terri and other leaders in food justice and food equity in Leicester, NC focus on supports and resources for residents post-Hurricane Helene. In the wake of this natural disaster, it has become clear to leaders and food justice organizations in this rural part of Western North Carolina, that the food insecurity issue that has been ongoing, has only become amplified, and needs to be addressed head on.
We have been working with Terri and other leaders to assist them in the creation of the Leicester Food Coalition, which has a goal of increasing awareness and access of fresh food resources to residents in this rural community who are impacted daily by food insecurity.
Beloved Asheville
Kelly’s Kitchen has long been following and supporting Beloved Asheville through social media platforms. Recently, we had the opportunity to provide direct relief and support by providing them with specific requested items that help keep their food pantry and resources organized and out of the elements.
Upon request, we purchased four heavy duty storage shelves that can hold up to 3,000 pounds each to organize and store essential items that are directly provided to Western North Carolina residents in-need. They have been ordered and will be delivered directly to Beloved Asheville by early next week!
We encourage you to follow Beloved Asheville on social media platforms (Facebook and/or Instagram) and look for their call-to-actions when they need assistance. They have a gift of being able to humanize the experience of rural residents in Western North Carolina who are battling food insecurity, especially during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
You can also donate directly to us (@Kellys-Kitchen on Venmo) and put “Beloved Asheville” as the recipient and all donations will be provided directly to them.
12 Baskets Cafe - Asheville Poverty Initiative
Kelly’s Kitchen recently provided 12 Baskets Cafe - Asheville Poverty Initiative with funds to purchase a dozen turkeys for Thanksgiving meals that will be provided to individuals that cannot afford to purchase them. We are thrilled to support an organization that addresses the intersection of food waste and food poverty by ensuring that food does not go to waste, and instead goes to community members who need it the most!
If you would like to donate and help ensure that people in Western North Carolina have a warm meal this Thanksgiving (and all year round), you can send funds directly via Venmo to @AshevillePovertyInitiative
"At Asheville Poverty Initiative, our mission is to build community and promote economic justice.
Dismantling stereotypes, reducing fear, and empowering hope through telling stories across socio-economic difference.
We envision a beloved community that celebrates mutuality, abundance, and justice.
We invite you to 12 Baskets Café, where community and compassion come together. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM we're open for hot sit-down meals. We also offer assorted groceries for you to take home at no cost! Join us for coffee, conversation, and community in our garden beginning at 10:00 AM on the days we are open.
Our cafe is a gathering space for people from all walks of life – those experiencing physical hunger, those seeking a sense of belonging, and those eager to contribute. At Asheville Poverty Initiative (API), we hunger for community, and our cafe reflects this shared feast of food and good company in a "by-donation" style.
At 12 Baskets Cafe, we receive donations of high-quality, surplus food from local businesses and the food service industry. These donations, which would otherwise go to waste, are collected by API companions and repurposed for sharing."
Donate to Help Decrease Food Insecurity During Hurricane Devastation
At Kelly's Kitchen our mission is to promote healthy nutrition in the whole community, with a focus on providing education on ways to access healthy food, explore employment possibilities in the food and beverage industry for seniors and people with disabilities, ensure food security, and learn healthy preparation techniques.
Kelly’s Kitchen wants to support the important, lifesaving work of our food justice neighbors who are assisting individuals affected by Hurricane Helene. Please consider donating to our mission.
100% of donations given will go to organizations in Hurricane-impacted areas who are assisting individuals with disabilities and members of the aging population who are experiencing increased food insecurity at this time.
If there is a specific organization that we have highlighted that you want to contribute to, please put that information in the notes and we will be sure to get it to that specific organization or person!