Give Help
Your donation will help provide critical response and recovery support to residents impacted by emergencies and disasters in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, and Long counties.
For in-kind donations, please call 2-1-1 or email [email protected], and we will direct you to a partner agency in need.
About the
Rapid Response Disaster Fund
Generous individuals, organizations, and business partners are coming together to support those impacted by emergencies and disasters through the Rapid Response Disaster Fund. United Way of the Coastal Empire (UWCE) is spearheading fundraising efforts alongside community partners and emergency managers.
The purpose of this fund is to offset disaster costs for victims through intermediate and long-term support. These funds will not fully cover damages caused by the storm. We will continue to collaborate with community partners to connect our community residents to additional services and support.
How is the fund managed?
100% of donations will support disaster relief. Funds will support both intermediate and long-term recovery efforts.
For intermediate recovery, funds will be paid to third-party vendors on behalf of residents, based on verified damage, quotes, and identified needs. Whenever possible, we will first refer clients to other available programs to ensure the most efficient use of resources.
Long-term recovery efforts will be carried out in collaboration with County leaders and emergency management teams.
We are deeply grateful for the generous support of our community, which allows us to provide intermediate and long-term recovery support to those affected by emergencies and disasters through the Rapid Response Disaster Fund.
How to Access Resources
Residents impacted by Hurricane Helene can access critical resources and information through United Way’s 211 Information & Referral Service by calling 2-1-1, emailing [email protected], or visiting www.uwce.org/211.
Our 211 phone line is available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. For support outside of these hours, please email [email protected]. Additional resources can also be found online at www.uwce.org/211.
Please note: Our 211 team is hard at work. Please be patient with our team as they are working through the high volume of calls and emails. If you are unable to get through to 211, please email them at [email protected].
Additionally, FEMA’s Individual Assistance program has been approved for several local zip codes. There are three ways you can apply for FEMA disaster assistance:
- Online: disasterassistance.gov
- FEMA APP: fema.gov/app
- Call 800-621-3362
Please check back with FEMA periodically as the situation continues to evolve.
Further, Georgia residents in Hurricane Helene’s affected areas who received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in September can report food lost due to power outages related to the Hurricane. To report losses click here.
Free Legal Assistance Available for Georgia Disaster Victims
- If you have a legal problem related to Hurricane Helene, call 866-584-8027 and will be connected with a volunteer who will provide you with free legal advice.
- If you are a tenant and have a legal problem with your rental due to Hurricane Helene, call Georgia Legal Services Program at 800-498-9469.