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If you are a lactation support provider in Western North Carolina and need financial support, please click here to complete the form.

Free Infant Feeding Help for Families Affected by Hurricane Helene

The hotline is open 24/7, every day of the year.

Call 888-588-3423 or text "BFHOTLINE" to 839863 for free help.

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If you have questions about feeding your baby and are affected by Hurricane Helene, free help is available! Families can call or text the Appalachian Breastfeeding Network Hotline anytime for support. This free service is funded by the Ohio Department of Health to assist families during this tough time. North Carolina is thankful for their help in making sure breastfeeding families get the support they need.

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Infant Feeding Crisis Response: Western NC Hurricane Helene

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, families in Western North Carolina are facing an unprecedented crisis. The storm has severely impacted infrastructure, leaving many families with limited access to basic necessities, including infant feeding supplies. As lactation professionals and advocates, it is our duty to respond swiftly and collaboratively to support these families in need.

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This page outlines the collective efforts, resources, and immediate actions NCBC is taking to address the urgent infant feeding needs across the region. We encourage all NCBC members and partners to participate in any way possible to help alleviate the crisis and ensure that families have the support they need.

Key Links and Resources

Volunteer Coordination

  • NCBC continues to seek Infant Feeding Specialists to support the efforts at the Lilac Birth Center in Asheville, NC. We need trained support to provide outreach and education at shelters where mass distributions of formula and bottles are taking place. This is an ongoing effort, and it is a rapidly changing situation. 

Volunteers Heading to Asheville

Important Notice for Volunteers Heading to Asheville:

Only those signed up should go to Asheville. Do not travel to emergency areas unless registered. Volunteers who are already signed up will receive detailed instructions and assignments. Please ensure you have filled out the necessary forms and are prepared for the conditions on the ground. â€‹

 

Review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at the bottom of this page for information on what to bring and wear.

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  • Volunteer Check-In: Remind volunteers to check in and watch the training video before arriving at their assigned shelter.

  • Formula Redistribution: Update with information about excess formula being available for redistribution from the WNC Agricultural Center and Woodland Baptist.

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Volunteer Training:

A special training session on Safe Infant Feeding was recorded. This training is vital for those planning to assist on the ground or remotely during the hurricane recovery.  A link to the recording will be provided with volunteer information. Volunteers should view the recording before checking in on their scheduled volunteer day and time. 

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Volunteer Communication:

A new Google group has been created to keep volunteers informed about the hurricane relief efforts. This will be our primary communication hub.

Email ncbfc@breastfeedingcommunities.org if you want be added to the list. It means 10 emails per day.

Immediate Needs

Important Update: Pausing Kit Supply Purchases

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has contributed supplies and helped assemble kits for families affected by Hurricane Helene. Thanks to your incredible support, we’ve successfully delivered over 500 infant feeding sanitation kits, with another 500 kits on the way.

 

At this time, we are pausing the purchase of new kit supplies as we transition our focus toward long-term support and recovery efforts. We will gratefully accept any kits or supplies already in process, but moving forward, we encourage everyone to shift their support to financial donations.

How You Can Help 

Financial contributions will help us continue providing critical services to families in need, including advocacy, outreach, and supporting local coalitions as they take on a larger role in the recovery.

 

Please consider making a financial donation today to help us sustain these efforts for the long term. Your generosity makes a direct impact on families in Western North Carolina:

 

Donate

 

Join the NCBfC SAFE Team! We need Infant Feeding Specialists and dedicated volunteers to support the mission in Asheville and surrounding area. Please sign up for the role that fits you best:

Digital Support Form

 

For lactation providers in Western NC needing financial assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out:

Request Financial Aid

Resources for Lactating Families and Support 
Providers

For breastfeeding families:​

For support providers:

Milk Sharing and Safe Feeding Support

In this crisis, safe infant feeding practices are essential.

  • Informal milk sharing is being coordinated in areas where formal milk banks are unavailable. Milk sharing coordination is adhering to the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) guidelines for safe milk sharing.

  • For families in need of formula or breastfeeding supplies, the CDC Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Toolkit provides crucial guidelines: CDC Toolkit

    • Please ensure that families understand safe feeding practices.

    • ​Additionally, please instruct donors and organizations on proper formula donations by sharing the CDC toolkit and encouraging them to remove inappropriate formula from circulation.

Additional Resources

Here are some additional resources that may be useful for storm recovery information and help:​

Final Call to Action

Now, more than ever, families in Western NC need our support. We are calling on all NCBC members and partners to step up and help provide critical infant feeding support during this time of crisis. Whether through donations, volunteer efforts, or telehealth services, your involvement is crucial.

 

Thank you for your continued dedication to improving the health and well-being of families across North Carolina. Together, we can make a difference.

Warm regards,

North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition | Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions

A Community Under Pressure: The Critical Need for Safe Feeding Support in Disaster Areas

As North Carolina faces another wave of natural disasters, communities are being hit hard. Beyond the immediate needs for shelter and safety, families are grappling with how to feed their infants and young children safely amidst the chaos. The demand for feeding supplies, education, and support has skyrocketed. This is the story of the people on the frontlines—volunteers, lactation consultants, and community health workers—working tirelessly to ensure that no child goes without safe, adequate nutrition.

 
Brandi’s Story: Overwhelmed by Need, Driven by Compassion

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As Asheville deals with the fallout from natural disasters, the pressure on families to feed their infants safely is growing by the day. Brandi Harrison, a former Chair and current board member of the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition (NCBC), finds herself at the epicenter of this crisis. Parents are turning to her, desperate for guidance and support in the face of dwindling resources and overwhelming challenges.

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But Brandi’s struggle doesn’t end when she steps away from the disaster zone. When she leaves, she is inundated with hundreds of text messages, not just from people in need, but also from individuals and organizations eager to help. It’s a flood of communication that’s impossible to keep up with.

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“Hundreds of messages,” Brandi recalls. “We are overwhelmed by the amount of outreach, education, and counseling needed. Large shelters and organizations are requesting bottles and formula, but we can’t accommodate them all. People are showing up at the birth center needing supplies, feeding support, and education.”

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With only three active people on the ground, Brandi’s team is stretched thin. She highlights the urgent need for boots on the ground: more volunteers to help distribute supplies, provide education, and share critical information. “We need help. Right now, we just need people to show up and be here with us.”

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Jayne’s Role: A Call for Human Milk Donations

 

Jayne Corradi Lee, another NCBC board member, is facing the same challenges alongside Brandi. Jayne has been integral in organizing human milk donations and working with shelters to distribute milk to those in need. "We have people coming from Georgia with donor milk," Jayne says. "It needs to be labeled right, but that's it. The birth center can be a drop-off location."

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Human milk donation is lifesaving for many infants during a disaster, especially when formula becomes difficult to access or prepare safely. Jayne’s team ensures every donation follows safety protocols, including filling out disclosure forms and labeling each bag with the donor’s name, date, and quantity.

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However, space is running out. Jayne echoes Brandi’s concerns: “We’re about to reach the point where we have to pause milk donations because we’re running out of space. The same goes for physical supplies.” Despite the logistical challenges, Jayne remains committed to keeping the milk bank open and helping families as long as possible.

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Briana’s Efforts: Mobilizing Help from Other States

 

Briana Smith, NCBC's Equity Coordinator, another essential player in this crisis, has been working tirelessly to facilitate the transport of donor milk from neighboring states like Georgia. These supplies are critical for families with no access to formula or breast milk substitutes.

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Briana understands the need for immediate action but also stresses the importance of safety and accountability. “The milk just needs to be labeled with donor info and quantity in the bag. Simple but essential details that can make a world of difference.” Briana’s goal is to ensure that the birth center continues to serve as a drop-off and distribution point for these vital supplies, while encouraging more people to step up and volunteer.

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The Urgent Call for Volunteers

 

Volunteers are needed urgently. We’ve created a streamlined process for volunteers to register their interest and find ways to help on the ground. From distributing human milk and formula, when needed, to training others in safe feeding practices, there’s no shortage of work to be done. “We have volunteers coming in, but they need to be trained,” Brandi notes. “We need people to go out and spread the word. It’s just three of us right now, and we can’t do it alone.”

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How You Can Help
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The need for volunteer support has never been greater. If you're local or can travel to assist, now is the time to act. Volunteers are responsible for figuring out their own accommodations, but the team can provide directions on where to show up and help.

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To volunteer, please fill out the form here, and NCBC will let the team know you're on your way. They will guide you on how you can make the most impact on the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How can I volunteer to help with safe feeding support in disaster-affected areas?

 

You can sign up to volunteer by filling out the form here. There are tabs across the top for the weeks/months. Once you register, you will be provided with further instructions on how to assist. Please note that volunteers are responsible for their own travel and accommodation.​

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2. When volunteering, what do I need to know?

 

CHECKLIST of ESSENTIALS:

  • Scrubs or durable clothing

Wear scrubs, if possible. If not, wear a bright or light-colored T-shirt so that you’re easily identifiable.

Remember that temperatures can be super variable (e.g., 79° during the day and in the 50s at night). Temperatures will be dropping and locations may still be without electricity. It might be helpful to bring hand or foot warmers for bedtime.

  • Rubber boots

Rubber boots are best! The mud, dust, and water is toxic and can burn. At a minimum, wear closed-toe shoes or durable boots.

  • Credentials and ID

Bring a photo ID and any relevant credentials,, if applicable. If you don't have a name tag, you can pin your IBLCE card or other credential to your shirt.

  • N95 masks (preferred)

  • 2 gallons of water per day per person

It’s easy to get dehydrated when you’re trying to limit trips to the bathroom. Stay hydrated!

Bring 2 gallons of water per person per day.

  • Shelf-stable food for 3-4 days

BRING shelf stable food for yourself and plastic utensils that you will need to eat the food. Examples might include: peanut butter crackers, small servings of vegetables, or protein bars.

From the field: "My day yesterday consisted of two (pre-packaged/bottled) nutrition shakes, half a sleeve of saltines with peanut butter, a single serve bag of veggie straws, a little tiny plastic single serve container of cooked carrots."

  • Sleeping gear (if needed)

  • First-aid supplies (if possible)

  • Basic toiletries 

Bring the items that you will need, such as, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, towel and washcloth. 

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RESOURCES:

A printed copy of the CDC Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies toolkit for yourself is helpful.  

 

TRASH:

TRASH pick up may still be INACTIVE. Consolidate trash where possible. For example, fill empty containers with smaller trash pieces to minimize waste volume. If you’re throwing away any sort of a container, make sure to first fill it up with smaller pieces of trash.

From the field: "I was able to fit most of my trash inside my 2 (nutrition shake) bottles to make for a fairly small amount of trash generated yesterday."

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3. Where do we meet?

 

We’re all meeting as a group at 9:30 a.m. at The Orange Peel (101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801) through October 19, after which we’ll switch locations. We will post updates about the new location. 

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4. What are the road conditions? 

 

The interstate between Asheville and Tennessee is still blocked, so we recommend traveling south instead. For real-time updates on road congestion, we suggest checking Apple Maps or Google Maps before you head out or go to the NC Department of Transportation (NC DOT) website for Helene detours.

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5. What if I'm bringing human milk donations?​

 

Thank You for your consideration. Unfortunately, we are not taking milk donations at the moment. The country has generously donated human milk, and our freezers are full. We will provide updates when this changes.

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6. What are the requirements for milk donations?

 

Donors must complete a simple disclosure form, which includes contact information and a brief health history. 

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Milk should be stored in sterile bags. Please ensure that each bag of milk is clearly labeled with the following:

  • Donor's name

  • Date of collection

  • Quantity in ounces

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7. How can I help if I can't travel to the disaster area?

 

If you’re unable to physically volunteer, you can still help by spreading the word on social media, donating funds to support Lactation Support Providers impacted by the hurricane, or helping with logistics remotely. Follow @jayne.carpenter on Instagram for live updates and share posts to raise awareness.

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8. How long is the need expected to last?

 

The need for feeding support will likely continue as long as the area is recovering from the disaster.  The situation is evolving rapidly, and every bit of help counts. 

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