North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition
NCBfC SAFE Team
North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition
Support and Advocacy for Infant Feeding
in Emergencies Team
Contact: safe@ncbfc.org
Supporting Infant Feeding
in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Donate HERE
(https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=97XEMCU8HSC2W)​
NCBfC SAFE Supporting Infant Feeding
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, communities in Western North Carolina are grappling with widespread devastation, including long term water outages, water contamination, and limited access to essential services. Among the most vulnerable in these circumstances are infants and young children who rely on safe, appropriate feeding for their survival and well-being. The NCBfC SAFE Team (North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition Support and Advocacy for Infant Feeding Emergencies Team) is actively working in this region to provide critical infant feeding support, guided by the expertise of Infant Feeding Specialists.
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The NCBfC SAFE Team is at ground zero, originally providing life-saving Safe Infant Feeding Sanitation Kits to families across Western North Carolina who are struggling without access to clean water and now transitioning to longterm support and recovery efforts. The Team is working in partnership with the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition at FEMA centers, community sites, and church distribution networks. We are on the front lines, helping families in some of the hardest-hit areas. Our teams have reached tent cities, mobile home communities, and remote mountain areas—places where people have no running water and limited access to safe bottled water. The need is urgent, and we are working tirelessly to bring critical supplies and support to those who need them most.
How to Request Help or a Visit from the NCBfC SAFE Team
If you or someone you know is in need of infant feeding support in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the NCBfC SAFE Team is here to help. We are actively visiting shelters, homes, and remote locations to provide critical infant feeding assistance.
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You can:
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Let us know about a shelter or community in need: If you are aware of a shelter, community site, or tent city that requires a visit from our Infant Feeding Specialists, please let us know. We will dispatch our team to assess the needs and deliver supplies.
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Request an Infant Feeding Specialist for your site: If you need a trained specialist to visit your shelter, home, or distribution site to provide direct support for breastfeeding, formula feeding, or infant care, you can request assistance, and we’ll prioritize your location.
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Request a home visit: Yes, we visit homes. If you are unable to leave your home due to road conditions, health concerns, or other emergencies, our Infant Feeding Specialists can visit homes to provide urgent support. We are here to help families where they are.
To request a visit or to let us know about a site in need, contact the NCBfC SAFE Team directly at safe@ncbfc.org, or call (828) 809-3301, or complete the form here.
The NCBfC SAFE Team is working tirelessly to ensure that families in Western North Carolina have access to the tools they need to safely feed their infants in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
How you can help!
Please consider making a financial donation today to help us to continue to provide critical services to families in need, including advocacy, outreach, and support for local coalitions as they take on a larger role in the recovery.
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Donate HERE
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Breastfeeding Questions? Contact the Appalachian Breastfeeding Hotline
If you’re experiencing breastfeeding challenges or need advice,
call the Appalachian Breastfeeding Hotline at 1-888-588-3423 for help.
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The hotline provides 24/7 assistance for breastfeeding mothers and families in the region. If you’re experiencing breastfeeding challenges or need advice, call the Appalachian Breastfeeding Hotline at 1-888-588-3423 for help.
Whether you need supplies, a home visit, or breastfeeding advice, we are committed to ensuring that every family in Western North Carolina has the support they need during this difficult time. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for help.