Hurricane Helene has caused widespread devastation across Western North Carolina, severely impacting individuals and communities. Our communities are working tirelessly together to support one another as the region recovers. As part of these recovery efforts, the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation has taken proactive measures to collaborate with and provide grants to various organizations throughout the community. Together, we are working tirelessly to ensure that essential recovery resources and support reach those who have been most impacted by the storm.

During the storm, the International Friendship Center’s Highlands Food Pantry faced a critical challenge with a three-day power outage, putting their perishable food supplies at risk. To prevent losses, the pantry quickly improvised by using a temporary diesel generator and transferring frozen goods to smaller freezers. However, this incident underscored the urgent need for a reliable, permanent backup power solution.

With a grant from the Health Foundation, the pantry will be able to acquire and install a propane-fueled standby generator. This will ensure an uninterrupted power supply to their refrigeration units, safeguarding their food inventory and enabling continuous operations during future emergencies.

“The Health Foundation continues to demonstrate why they are such an important community partner in Highlands and Cashiers, said International Friendship Center Executive Director TJ Smith. “Their response to Helene – to make available funds to meet needs that were a direct result of this disaster – was a much-needed resource to so many nonprofits working directly with those impacted on the Plateau.”