In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Southern Dharma worked in our communities to provide critical goods, services, and support. Our work ranged from providing clean drinking water, mental health support groups, chainsawing fallen trees, distributing blankets and propane heaters, as well as supplying basic food and hygiene products to communities in need through our mutual aid hub. Our robust team of hurricane relief staff and volunteers worked in diligent and compassionate service towards sammā-kammanta or Wise Action. Meanwhile, our greater sangha supported our work through material and fiscal donations that allowed us to make this marked impact on the community.
As of November 16 2024, we raised over $175,000 toward our collective Hurricane Helene response efforts. Thank you to all for showing up in whatever form you can in this time of western North Carolina's need.
On this page, you will find links to our email newsletters following the storm and Southern Dharma's contributions to WNC's recovery in 2024 and 2025.
Southern Dharma Relief Work
In the days following the storm, Southern Dharma began offering direct food and water assistance to the community in collaboration with Urban Dharma, another local Buddhist organization. Beginning in early October, we relocated our continuing efforts to one wing of Oasis Church of Asheville. The new space allowed us to significantly expand our Free Store and water distribution hub, as well as establish dedicated work space for recovery staff and volunteers.
Free Store & Water Hub
Four water totes lined the southern wall of Southern Dharma Oasis, where people could come 24/7 to replenish their jugs and tanks with potable water to bring back to their houses. Before closing on November 16, the Oasis Free Store opened its doors every Tuesday - Saturday from 3 - 6 pm, allowing those in need to come get supplies like food, bedding, hygiene products, and more. The Free Store also acted as the focal point for Southern Dharma's distribution efforts; volunteers collected, packaged and drove items to families in need whenever the Free Store was open. The Free Store was stocked by volunteers who either purchased or collected what they could from larger distribution hubs in the region, while large orders of specialized products like propane heaters were purchased directly by Southern Dharma and brought in from outside the region by out of town volunteers.
After Oasis closed, we continued to offer dispersed support to the community and other mutual aid hubs led by Kris Moon. This support included fiscal and material donations to other mutual aid organizations in Yancey, Madison, and Buncombe Counties. In the winter months following the storm, Kris spearheaded a propane supply program for displaced and unhoused persons to be able to refill their propane heaters from November - March.
Programming
Where our volunteer efforts engaged material and physical needs within the community, events at Southern Dharma Oasis intended to help with the emotional, psychological, and spiritual processing of the impacts of Hurricane Helene. We were honored to offer a range of sessions and healing opportunities for our community members while the space was active. Deep thanks to everyone who took part, including facilitators Ekua Adisa, Selin Nurgun, Em Berkey, Matthew Parkinson, Kim Granelle, and Sarah Wells.
