How can Hoosiers aid in disaster relief from a distance
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Since Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, some local individuals have taken it upon themselves to help the states still living in disaster.
The Category 4 storm caused mass damage throughout Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. According to The Salvation Army, it is among the deadliest hurricanes in the last 50 years, and those fatality numbers rise daily.
With those affected residing across the country from Michiana residents, some want to find the best, and safest, ways to help.
Among those lending a helping hand is Mats Pokela, a current South Bend Resident, but a North Carolina native. When he heard of the devastating storm affecting his home state, he decided he was going to make a trip down there to help however he could.
Pokela planned a two-week trip, collecting what donations he could gather, to the North Carolina area. When he spoke with ABC57, Pokela wanted to make it clear the focus of his mission is on those suffering in the Appalachian area that still do not have access to aid.
“It’s about the people who are down there, communities that are banning together and helping where they can. Because that’s all they have, at the end of the day. A lot of these communities that aren’t in the big towns as I mentioned, Asheville, Boone, they don’t have access to these government organizations right now, so all they have is each other,” said Pokela.
He got in contact with a local grassroots organization, French Broad River Academy Salamander Fund, making sure he had a plan for his trip down there and that his help would be appreciated.
“I know when I get down there, I’m linking up with somebody who’s actually doing work there. They have work for me, I have a place to lay my head at night, whether it’s outside or there’s a roof over my head it doesn’t matter. Just have a plan, make sure you’re in touch with somebody and they can use you and don’t just go down there, you know, without opportunities,” explained Pokela.
While Pokela has the plan and resources to help those in his home state, personally going to the affected areas might not be the best plan for everyone.
The Development Director for Elkhart Salvation Army, Ron Sherck, explained that large organizations have a set plan for aiding in disaster situations. He said that currently, The Salvation Army has dozens of mobile canteens across the affected states that are providing aid to the area's most in need. He explained they know where to go based off of contact they get from the affected areas state, federal, or local officials.
“It really requires trained individuals, experienced individuals, to be on site where the disaster has happened. Otherwise, we can, an individual with all the well-meaning can get there and probably could potentially create another problem that wasn’t expected,” said Sherck.
He went on to explain the best ways for Hoosiers to help is financially.
“So, it’s best that we support our fellow Americans who have been affected by this disaster in ways where we don’t have to be right there in person. And so, obviously one of the big ways that we can support is with our financial support,” explained Sherck.
Which Pokela agrees with, providing ABC57 with multiple local organizations directly providing help in his home state that are looking for donations.
- French Broad River Academy Salamander Fund
- Beloved Asheville
- Manna Food Bank
- Wine to Water
- Appalachian Voices
The Salvation Army also has a website dedicated the Hurricane Helene relief. Those funds will be dispersed across the South.