Urgent Relief for Families Who Have Lost Everything

United Way of the Central Savannah River Area (United Way CSRA), in Augusta, Georgia, its 2-1-1 Helpline and GoFundMe.org have joined forces to raise funds for families whose lives were turned upside down when Hurricane Helene struck. Donations to this fund will go toward unrestricted cash grants of $200 to help people pay for desperately needed supplies like food, water, clothing, and diapers. Additional grants will become available as new funds are raised through this impactful partnership.

United Way CSRA’s 2-1-1 has seen a significant surge in calls from survivors of the storm who have lost everything and need help with basic needs, such as mothers who need diapers, water, and formula. A recent caller was a pregnant mother with a family of six whose house and three cars were damaged when trees fell on their property during Hurricane Helene; they are all staying in one spare bedroom with a family member and are in desperate need of water, food, baby essentials, and basic supplies to sustain their family while they wait for power and home repairs. There is no shortage of stories like these, from people having to make impossible choices about how to survive the day.

United Way CSRA’s 2-1-1 is helping to identify these individuals, and GoFundMe.org will be issuing grants from the donations raised into this Fund. GoFundMe, Inc. is making an initial $50,000 contribution to begin helping 250 people in and surrounding Augusta, GA, one of the state’s hardest hit regions. Thanks to United Way Worldwide and 2-1-1 for helping to facilitate this partnership.

GoFundMe.org is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization GoFundMe.org is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 81-2279757) that works to swiftly mobilize donations for individuals and communities impacted by crises, natural disasters, and social inequalities. We accept tax-deductible donations from a global network of donors into funds created for a specific purpose. From these funds, we issue grants to individuals and nonprofits. Money will be given to verified charitable needs at the discretion of GoFundMe.org.

United Way of the CSRA leads the way in identifying health and human service needs and securing the resources that allow individuals and families to achieve their potential through education, financial stability, and healthy lives. Uniting, focusing, and mobilizing the strengths of the CSRA's finest nonprofit agencies, government agencies, companies, faith-based groups, and caring individuals is what United Way does best. United Way is how our community comes together to set an agenda for making our community safer and stronger. WE invest resources. WE build partnerships. WE get real, measurable results.

United Way of the CSRA's 2-1-1 helpline is a FREE information and referral service.

If you need help finding assistance or available resources in the CSRA, or want to give help, dial 2-1-1 from any phone or you may dial [phone redacted], Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Your call is completely confidential and free. Visit www.211csra.org to use our online database, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Text your 5-digit zip code to 898211 to text directly with a referral specialist (available Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.), or for automatic, on demand referrals, text OD10 to 898211 to find resources available to you in your zip code.

Your tax-deductible donation will be granted to support those in need. Updates will be shared here as grants are delivered. Every dollar makes a difference. Thank you for your support.