Hurricane Florence Recovery: How you can help

The last week has been a very stressful and challenging one for everyone preparing for and recovering from Hurricane Florence. North and South Carolina sustained the most serious, and tragic impact from this horrible storm, and hundreds of thousands of others have also been seriously affected throughout the southeastern United States.

Early estimates suggest Florence caused billions of dollars in damages to home and businesses.  Before the storm even made landfall, we received countless phone calls and emails from people offering assistance. We are grateful for the hospitality and generosity extended by our friends and colleagues throughout the country. 

Now, we come together again to rally the industry in this time of need. We know that many of you have already received requests asking how people can help. We ask that if you or someone you know in our industry can be supportive, please direct them to one of these four local entities that our SRA partners are working with in the impacted regions.    

• North Carolina: North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
• South Carolina: Harvest Hope Food Bank
• Georgia: The Giving Kitchen
• Virginia: Mercy Chefs

Our Associations also are united in supporting the hurricane-affected restaurant communities in other ways at the state, local, and federal levels with our elected leaders and government officials. In our outreach to our governors and local officials in the states, as well as our outreach nationally to the Congressional and Administration officials, we are doing everything we can to assist with relief efforts for our communities and industry.   

One of the great things about our industry is our resilience and the way we come together and support one another in the wake of disasters. We greatly appreciate you keeping everyone in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia in your thoughts and prayers as they begin the recovery process.

Dawn Sweeney, President & CEO, National Restaurant Association
Lynn Minges, President & CEO, North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association
Karen Bremer, CEO, Georgia Restaurant Association
Eric Terry, President, Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association
John Durst, President & CEO, South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association