Residents in Fayetteville, Greenville and small towns throughout southeastern North Carolina are facing the outlook of long-term recovery from Hurricane Matthew’s destructive flooding.
The rains have long stopped, but many flood victims are still living in hotel rooms and surveying the damage to their homes and businesses. Non-profits and emergency response organizations are in continued need of donations and support to serve the affected areas.
Gov. Pat McCrory is urging citizens who want to support relief efforts to give to well-established organizations and to consider making financial donations. Service organizations embedded in the communities are able to buy food and supplies in bulk and purchase from affected businesses to promote their local economy.
Giving to statewide relief agencies and coordinated organizations helps direct the flow of donations to the hardest hit. Here are ways you can donate to help North Carolinians in need:
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
McCrory announced Tuesday that the state’s disaster relief fund is accepting financial donations to support long-term recovery measures.
Visit ncdisasterrelief.org to donate by credit card.
- Text NCRECOVERS to 30306.
- Mail a check or money order payable to North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to: Office of the Governor, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699.
North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
Member organizations of the North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NCVOAD) are a coalition of nonprofits that respond to disaster.
Visit the NCVOAD website for information on donating directly to any one of the member agencies.
American Red Cross
The Red Cross is helping Hurricane Matthew victims throughout the affected areas.
- Text MATTHEW to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
- Call 1-800-RED CROSS to donate to a specific chapter.
Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
The food bank serves 34 counties across the state and has a distribution branch in Greenville that serves many of the flooded communities.
- Visit foodbankcenc.org to make an online donation or find a convenient food drop off location.
Cumberland County "Giving Together" Relief Fund
The Cumberland Community Foundation will make a dollar for dollar match of donations up to $50,000 for its “Giving Together” fund. All donations will go to local organizations to help people fill gaps not covered by insurance or FEMA support.
- Go to cumberlandcf.org to donate by credit card or PayPal.
- Call 910-483-4449 to donate marketable securities.
- Mail checks payable to Cumberland Community Foundation with “Hurricane Relief Fund” in the memo line to: Cumberland County Community Foundation, PO Box 2345, Fayetteville, NC 28302.
Second Harvest Food Bank
The food bank distributes donations daily throughout Cumberland County with its Mobile Food Pantries.
- Visit their virtual food drive to donate by credit card. Every dollar will help provide 5 meals.
United Way of Pitt County Hurricane Matthew Disaster Relief Fund
The United Way fund will support local relief to storm victims in Pitt County for both immediate and long-term recovery.
- Visit the United Way of Pitt County's donation page to donate by credit card.
- Mail checks to PO Box 1028, Greenville, NC 27835.
City of Lumberton Go Fund Me
Lumberton city officials have set up an online giving campaign to support flood relief. The city’s water plant and public works departments are underwater, putting 5,000 residents without water service. Mayor Bruce Davis says the City Council will establish a screening process to fairly distribute the donations.
- Visit the city's Go Fund Me page to give by credit card or PayPal.
