STRONGER TOGETHER
AFTER HURRICANE HELENE
A One-Year Reflection
When Hurricane Helene struck, the Upstate woke up to a community forever changed. Trees down, homes destroyed, power gone, families displaced. In those first hours, uncertainty loomed, but United Way of Greenville County did what it does best. We became the command center, the distribution hub, and the convener. We rose to the occasion when no one else could, rallying partners, volunteers, and resources to meet the urgent needs of our neighbors and begin the path toward recovery.
COLLABORATION IN ACTION
In the days after Hurricane Helene, we quickly united partners to provide food, supplies, and emergency housing for families displaced by the storm. Together, we built solutions and systems where none existed, creating a coordinated response that continues to guide recovery today.
In the aftermath of Helene, the generosity of our community helped create the United Way Community Relief Fund, raising more than $2.2 million to power immediate relief and long-term recovery.
By the Numbers
30,000+ Community members impacted
27.5 Truckloads of supplies distributed
14 Tons of food & essential items
40 Nonprofit organizations supported
20 Faith-based groups engaged WITH SERVICES & DONATIONS
7 Schools provided with resources
EXTENDING HOPE
IN THE UPSTATE
Thanks to the generous support of The Duke Endowment, United Way of Greenville County was able to extend recovery efforts beyond Greenville County to communities across the Upstate where help was urgently needed. Their investment made it possible to support United Way of Anderson County, United Way of Pickens County, and United Way of the Piedmont with critical resources like food assistance and rental support.
In continuation of this work, and through collaboration with Homes of Hope, we also expanded home repair services to families in these neighboring counties. With The Duke Endowment’s partnership, we were able to activate quickly and ensure support reached areas often overlooked in times of disaster.
a first-of-its-kind partnership
When families lost everything, Airbnb and United Way of Greenville County created a first-of-its-kind housing partnership in South Carolina.
This partnership, piloted with the United Way Association of South Carolina, became a national model. Since then, it’s been replicated in states like Kentucky—proof that Greenville’s resilience has ripple effects far beyond our county.
And through that same network of trust and collaboration, United Way was able to attract support from Amazon, helping Greenville County families begin again after Helene.
$10,000
Donation amount from Amazon, providing household essentials to help families begin again after Hurricane Helene.
Power Restored, Hope Renewed
In West Greenville, the hurricane left entire neighborhoods in the dark for days. Refrigerators were silent, food spoiled, and families worried about how they would keep their children fed. With support from United Way of Greenville County’s Community Relief Fund and our partner Infinite Possibilities, Inc., relief efforts filled that gap—hot meals, bottled water, and supplies arrived just in time. Parents lined up not only for food, but for peace of mind.
One mother said, “When everything else stopped, at least I knew my children wouldn’t go to bed hungry.” Volunteers and neighbors rallied together, turning fear into connection. Even as the lights stayed off, a sense of community shone brighter than ever.
Finding Shelter in the Storm
For decades, Sylvia Vandross and her family had lived in her cozy Greenville home, watching her children and then her grandchildren grow, her garden flourish, and her neighborhood change with time. But nothing prepared her for Hurricane Helene.
As the storm swept through Greenville, a massive tree from the neighbor’s yard toppled over, splitting her roof and leaving her beloved home unlivable.
In the aftermath, Sylvia found herself overwhelmed. Where would they go? How would they rebuild?
That’s when help arrived. Through the support of United Way and a partnership with Airbnb, Sylvia and her family were given the keys to a temporary home—a warm, safe place where they could begin to plan their recovery.
“We did not know where we would go next,” Sylvia said. “I’m so grateful and appreciative of everyone who gave and helped because they answered a need.”
A Family Finds Their Footing Again
When Otis and his wife (high school sweethearts) stood in front of what was left of their storm-damaged home, three children clinging to their sides, they felt both heartbreak and fear. In a matter of hours, everything they had worked for was gone. With nowhere else to turn, they leaned on the support made possible through United Way of Greenville County and our partner Greer Relief. Together, rental and food assistance allowed them to stabilize, keep their children safe, and focus on putting the pieces back together.
“We didn’t just lose a house. We lost the place we raised our babies,” Otis shared. “Having a roof again meant we could breathe.”
Today, with the help of Greer Relief, their kids are back in school, the family is reestablishing routines, and hope is slowly returning.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
In the first critical days after Hurricane Helene, United Way of Greenville County became an in-kind donation hub for our community. As power outages stretched on, generous donors stepped forward with supplies to meet the most urgent needs such as water, food, hygiene items, and other essentials.
Through this effort, we provided funding and supplies to agencies that were on the front lines, ensuring that resources reached families quickly and directly. These agencies played a vital role in keeping neighbors safe and cared for when it mattered most.
Able SC
Advent Backpack Blessings
Beech Springs Church
Berea High School
Berea Middle School
Bethlehem Baptist Church Food Pantry
Bon Secours Wellness Arena
BootPrint
Carolina High School
Catholic Charities of SC – Upstate
Center for Community Services
Changing Your Mind Ministries
Church of God La Semilla de Mostaza
Downtown Outreach Ministry
Dream Preparatory Academy, Inc.
First Impression of South Carolina
Foothills Family Resources
Greenville Church Without Walls
Greenville Multicultural Church
Greenville Technical College (STAR Center)
Greer Relief & Resources Agency, Inc.
Grove Elementary (Communities in Schools of SC)
Highland Food Mission
Hispanic American Women’s Association (AHAM)
Homes of Hope
Infinite Possibilities, Inc.
James Monroe Mission House
Jasmine Road, Inc.
Joy of the Lord Ministries Food Pantry
Lakeview Middle School
Long Branch Baptist Church
Mosaic Educational and Arts Program
Neighborhood Cancer Connection
Neighborhood Focus
Our Lady of the Rosary Food Pantry
Panes y Peces
Pendleton Place
Phillis Wheatley Community Center
Piedmont Emergency Relief Center
Project Host
Rock of Ages Baptist Church
Safe Harbor, Inc.
The Salvation Army
Soteria Community Development Corporation
St. Mark United Methodist Church
St. Vincent de Paul, St. Mary Magdalene
Step by Step Ministry Hope Project, Inc.
Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources (SHARE)
Sunbelt Mobile Home Park
Tanglewood Middle School
United Ministries
United Way of Anderson County
United Way of the Piedmont
United Way of Pickens County
Upstate Food Not Bombs
Upstate Backpack Blessing
Upstate Circle of Friends
Village Project West Greenville Baptist Church
Welcome Elementary School
Westcliff Elementary School
powered by generosity
This impact was only possible because of thousands of donors, foundations, and companies who stepped in when our community needed it most. A heartfelt thank-you to our generous funders whose support makes this work possible:
