Summary Stats
Phase 1: Immediate Response
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm. Over 4 million people were immediately affected with power loss, extreme flooding, and heavy winds. Countless more households were affected along all of Florida’s Gulf Coast and through to Georgia, South and North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Right away, the GEM BStrong team was on the ground conducting distributions out of Perry, Florida and Asheville, North Carolina. From here our team provided large scale aid supplies to community members affected by this disaster since the beginning. This included water, food, cleaning supplies, tarps, pet supplies, hygiene supplies, and more. Furthermore, GEM also made smaller aid runs by vehicle and helicopter to rural zones and cut-off communities, as well as having provided air evacuation service in rural North Carolina areas.
GEM also partnered with Airbnb.org to offer residents of Pasco County, Florida and Western North Carolina with free, short term stays. As of February 2025, GEM is still on the ground in WNC supporting those affected by the storm with phase 2 assistance.
Phase 2: The gap Period
Small Business & Artisan Grant Program
At GEM, we are dedicated to providing longer term solutions & empowering those affected by disaster. We are committed to supporting local small businesses and artists in the Western North Carolina community through this program. Within this initiative, we will be providing local artisans, farmers, and small business owners with $1,000 – $10,000 grants to help them get back on their feet & their businesses back up and running. To support our small business recovery program in North Carolina, please donate through the below link.
We have, so far, supported over 120 artisans, farmers, and small business owners. GEM is humbled to be able to support the WNC community and to help revitalize the arts and farm industries. Please see below for a few of our recent grant recipients.
Rental Assistance Program
Housing insecurity is a major threat after disaster that leaves families and individuals extremely vulnerable. Our rental assistance in North Carolina works with those at risk of losing their homes, or those who already have, and provides direct rental assistance payments on leases. This program gives WNC residents security and support, in an otherwise difficult time.
Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida, just weeks after Hurricane Helene, as a Category 3 hurricane. The already fragile region, due to Helene, was further affected, causing much more damage and destruction. GEM responded accordingly, and prepositioned for this storm by securing local infrastructure in the area. From this warehouse, large quantities of necessary supplies for both the immediate need and the long-term recovery from Milton were distributed. GEM partnered with Airbnb.org to expand Helene support to include those affected by Milton, as well.
Partners
