Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by hurricane season, and most recently, Hurricane Helene. Natural disasters like hurricanes can leave families without power and disrupt deliveries of food and medicines. Because of the widespread destruction caused by Helene, the situation in North Carolina is dire.
Food provided by shelters during an emergency may not be safe for kids with food allergies. Even if the ingredients are safe, there may be the potential for cross-contact with their food allergens. This makes access to safe allergy-friendly foods essential in times of emergency.
Access to lifesaving medicine like epinephrine and emergency care can also be limited during and after natural disasters.
Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts:
Local groups are collecting donations for food allergy families in need:
- FOODiversity is partnered with Manna Food Bank. Manna serves more than 200 agencies, including food pantries and care centers for older adults and children. They will hand out products to organizations and households with food allergies, celiac disease, and other food-related conditions. People can buy food items from their Amazon Wishlist that will be donated for hurricane relief efforts.
- PAKCharlotte (Parents of Allergic Kids) in North Carolina has set up donations of allergy-safe foods for people in need. They have secured a delivery location in Boone, North Carolina. People can buy food items from their Amazon Wishlist for easy donations.
ARS Pharma, the company that makes neffy, announced they are donating 1,700 neffy prescriptions to impacted areas in North Carolina. Neffy is an epinephrine nasal spray, a needle-free alternative to epinephrine auto-injectors. If you or someone you know needs access to these devices, they can contact the United Way North Carolina for assistance.
As Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida this week, Florida residents will also need support. Stay tuned for relief efforts and ways you can help.
As the communities impacted by these hurricanes recover, the need for allergy-friendly foods and medicine will continue. You can help by sending donations to those in need. We will update this blog as we learn more information.
