Help Families and Farmers in Western NC

Hi everyone,

As many of you know, Western North Carolina has been hit hard recently by Hurricane Helene, and the situation is dire. I live 3 hours east in Raleigh, and I’m organizing a supply run this Thursday to deliver essential items to families and farmers who are struggling. Having grown up on a farm in northern New York, I feel strongly about assisting farmers in need, and I will also be participating in work projects to help NC farmers recover.

Right now, many rural communities are facing severe shortages of livestock feed, fencing materials, shelter supplies, and veterinary care—critical needs that have not yet been addressed by federal support.

For many of these families, their farms are their sole source of income. Losing their homes and livelihoods in such a devastating event is unimaginable. Our goal is to provide immediate relief to help them get through this tough time until long-term solutions are in place.

Without adequate food, farm animals face serious consequences. They may experience malnutrition, weakened immune systems, and in extreme cases, starvation, which can be fatal. Farmers may be forced to make heartbreaking decisions, such as selling or shipping animals away or, in the worst cases, euthanizing them to prevent prolonged suffering. This loss not only affects the animals' health but also places a heavy emotional and financial burden on the farmers.

I’ve been in touch with an NC State Cooperative Extension coordinator who has provided a list of urgent items we need to collect. They are organizing distribution, including air delivery to farmers who are still cut off. This list and the needs are fluid but this is our starting point. Here’s a rough idea of costs for donations:

Funds are needed urgently, as we plan to make our first supply run this week.

If you’re able to help, please consider making a donation. Tomorrow, I’ll be heading to Tractor Supply with some coworkers, taking two trucks and a trailer, so we have plenty of room for feed and fencing supplies.

I will keep everyone updated on our progress and how your donations are making a difference. If we continue to have success in raising funds, I will organize additional supply runs to ensure these communities get the support they desperately need.

Even if you can't donate, sharing this campaign can make a huge difference! Thank you for your generosity and support!