GREENVILLE/SPARTANBURG, SC, OCT. 10, 2024 —Today marks two weeks after Hurricane Helene made landfall, and the American Red Cross of South Carolina continues to provide shelter, food, water, relief supplies, and comfort to those still coping with Helene’s unimaginable destruction.

As of today, Oct. 10, the Red Cross has distributed more than 34,500 hot meals in South Carolina communities and provided close to 1,500 overnight shelter stays for people displaced by the storm. Our workforce stands ready as we begin to conduct damage assessment and provide financial assistance as roads in South Carolina reopen following Helene.

All Red Cross assistance is free; anyone whose home was damaged in the storm or has other disaster-caused needs can call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit RedCross.org/GetHelp for support. Feeding locations where people can get free meals are updated daily on our Facebook page: @RedCrossSC.

“The Red Cross is here for everyone impacted by Hurricane Helene, not just in the days and weeks to come but for the long haul,” says Yolanda Gainwell, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross of South Carolina. “The Red Cross responds to a disaster every eight minutes. This is what we train for, and compassion is at the heart of our humanitarian mission. From delivering a safe place to stay and hot meal to mental health support, we are here to help our communities on the road to recovery.”

Trained disaster response teams from the American Red Cross are providing support to people in South Carolina and across the Southeast as back-to-back hurricanes have caused widespread power outages, catastrophic flooding, heartbreaking destruction and damage to infrastructure. Two weeks after Helene, Milton made landfall in Florida last night as a category 3 hurricane. Seven local Red Cross volunteers from South Carolina have deployed to Florida to help with the Red Cross response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

People affected by these disasters need urgent help now, and we can’t do this alone. You can help by making a financial donation, an appointment to give blood or signing up to become a volunteer by visiting redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

MEDIA RESOURCES
**Spokespeople are available to discuss Red Cross response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton as well as how to help those impacted. Please contact Mandy McMahon to schedule.**

Disaster B-roll - Hurricane Helene Community Relief
Disaster B-roll - Hurricane Helene - North Carolina
Disaster B-roll - Hurricane Helene Preparation

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.