Time, Talent, Treasure: Giving wisely to help those in need in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene

In the last week we have become familiar with the work being done by good organizations doing well in communities in our southern states that have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. Some communities will never truly recover.

Entire mountainside terrains have changed. People didn’t have flood insurance simply because these areas never flood.

While many are of modest means, this tragedy showed no preference, and small, unstable homes of the poor were wiped out right next to the glorious homes of the wealthy or well to do in the hills. Businesses left vacant mean people will not have jobs to go back to, to earn money, to buy what they need to rebuild or simply survive.

The most basic needs of water, heat, electricity, communication, food, housing – will be a challenge for months if not years to come.

The old Bible adage Matthew 6:21 talks about showing God our love with Time, Talent and Treasure. That phrase has become the 3 pillars of philanthropy.

Here are five organizations we have researched that you can confidently support. The first, is if you have the most treasured of gifts – your time. If you are fit and in good health and have time to share on the ground, contact the local American Red Cross. They are looking – for you.

For gifts of time – and talent:

https://www.redcross.org/local/rhode-island.html

For gifts of treasure:

(alpha order)

Cajun Navy Relief – The Mission of Cajun Navy Relief is to save lives. We are a group of volunteers who work tirelessly without pay to provide immediate rescue and relief during natural disasters. Rescue and relief are our way of sharing the South Louisiana cultural tradition of neighbors helping neighbors with people in need across the United States. By integrating civilian volunteers into the Incident Command Structure we can act as a force multiplier for agencies responding to disasters.

Mercy Chefs – Mercy Chefs is a faith-based, non-profit disaster and humanitarian relief organization. We exist to provide professionally prepared, restaurant-quality meals to victims, volunteers and first responders in natural disasters and emergencies, and we partner with existing like-minded organizations to further their mission by providing food service in underserved communities across the country and around the globe.

Mercury One: Mercury One is a 501(c)(3) charity that was founded in 2011 by media personality, entrepreneur, and New York Times best-selling author Glenn Beck. It was created to inspire the world in the same way the United States’ space program shaped America’s national destiny by setting a goal and committing to reach it against all odds. The only limitations to achievement are those we place on ourselves, and we believe in the goodness and power of the individual to overcome any obstacle. – We are helping the victims of Hurricane Helene. American citizens in our nation are going through unimaginable hardships and desperately need help. We are delivering supplies directly where they are needed. We are partnering with Rep. Cory Mills to secure at least two helicopters and deliver baby supplies, personal hygiene products, diapers, paper towels, and non-perishable food to North Carolina. We are working around the clock with our partners to serve North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, Appalachia, and others. When you give to specific initiatives with Mercury One, 100% of your donation, if you cover credit card processing fees, goes to that initiative.

Samaritan’s Purse: Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. Samaritan’s Purse is responding in five locations across four states after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the Southeast.

World Central Kitchen: WCK is first to the frontlines, providing fresh meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. “World Central Kitchen started with a simple idea at home with my wife Patricia: when people are hungry, send in cooks. Not tomorrow, today.” Deploying our model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, we know that a nourishing meal in a time of crisis is so much more than a plate of food—it’s hope, it’s dignity, and it’s a sign that someone cares.

These are not the only way to give! But just a few thoughts based on news coverage of the individual programs on the ground in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and other nearby areas. There will be many ways to donate – pooling contributions at work, at church, through telethons on network TV, etc.

However you choose to support the work – and if that is boots on the ground, we’d love to hear about it – and publish your comments from that experience.