Hurricane Helene Has Affected Millions in FL, GA, & NC. These Restaurants Are Giving Away Free Food To Help.

Photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash

Hurricane Helene Has Affected Millions. These Restaurants Are Giving Away Free Food To Help

October 7, 2024

Bernadette Giacomazzo

Hurricane Helene has affected, and displaced, millions of people in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. The death toll continues to climb, with more than 230 people reported dead, and hundreds more reported missing. As first responders from all over the United States and Canada continue to help with the recovery efforts, restaurants nationwide are doing their part to provide free food to those impacted. Here’s what we know so far.

Restaurants Giving Free Food for Hurricane Helene Victims

Nation’s Restaurant News reports that countless chain restaurants across the country are doing their part to help.

Up first is McDonald’s. The McRig mobile kitchen was sent by McDonald’s Corp.’s charitable division to Asheville, North Carolina, to provide free meals from Oct. 3 to Oct. 5.

Denny’s Corp., based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, dispatched its 53-foot mobile kitchen, the Mobile Relief Diner, to feed those impacted by Hurricane Helene. It was in Asheville, North Carolina, on Friday, and it will provide hot breakfasts to locals at the Lowe’s parking lot, 95 Smokey Park Highway, through Tuesday, Oct. 8. It is serving water and hot coffee as well.

“Earlier this week, the MRD served 3,600 people over two days in Spartanburg, SC, demonstrating that the need for support continues in hard-hit areas,” Denny’s said in an email statement to the outlet. “Our own team members have been largely impacted by the storms, and they were determined to give back during this difficult time. Local franchisee Jonathan Lussier transformed one of the few restaurants with power into a 24/7 operation, with management and staff from around the area.”

Chef José Andrés’ international charity World Central Kitchen has enlisted the help of restaurateurs such as Jamie McDonald, who is also the co-owner of Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ in Asheville. The city in western North Carolina was one of many places in the area hit hard by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The region saw more than 15 inches of rain, which caused flooding and other damages.

Finally, the Bojangles Foundation, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, donated $25,000 to the American Red Cross on Thursday. The money will go toward providing relief to those in need from Hurricane Helene. Bojangles also loaded up two tractor truckloads of bottled water, which they then transported to the entry points in the impacted areas.

The brand, which has 800 locations, brought back its popular Heart-Shaped Bo-Berry Biscuits as a way of showing support for the affected neighbors. Until Oct. 31, 10% of the Bo-Berry Biscuits’ net sales at participating restaurants will be given to the American Red Cross.

The Latest Recovery Efforts

@bernadettegiacomazzo A brave rescue of #hurricanehelene victims in #northcarolina by #NYTaskForce1 – comprised of the best of the best of the #NYPD #ESU & #FDNY Be safe. 💗 (video credit: NY Task Force 1) #rescue #northcarolina #NC #hurricanerelief #fyp #foryou #foryourpage #perte #pertepagina #parati #paratipage #paratipagina ♬ original sound – Bernadette Giacomazzo

Despite the myriads of efforts put forth by first responders and various task forces from around the country, misinformation abounds about Hurricane Helene’s recovery efforts. According to Politico, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell called the misleading narratives surrounding the agency’s funding “truly dangerous,” pointing in particular to Donald Trump’s fabricated assertions that funds for storm aid had been diverted to undocumented immigrants.

“It’s frankly ridiculous, and just plain false. This kind of rhetoric is not helpful to people,” she said. “It’s really a shame that we’re putting politics ahead of helping people, and that’s what we’re here to do. We have had the complete support of the state.”

She continued: “We have had the local officials helping to push back on this truly dangerous narrative that is creating this fear of trying to reach out and help us or register to help.”

Recent News