Hay Donation Options for Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the agricultural community in North Carolina and surrounding areas faces an urgent need for hay and livestock supplies. The Fellowship of Christian Farmers International (FCFI) is collaborating with key partners to coordinate hay donations, helping farmers recover from this disaster and support their livestock through the challenging winter ahead.

How to Support the Hay Drive

FCFI has identified two main ways to contribute to this essential effort:

1. Midwest Food Bank’s Hay Donation Program
Midwest Food Bank (MFB) has committed to sending 20 loads of alfalfa hay to Canton, North Carolina, to aid livestock farmers devastated by Hurricane Helene. This initiative is supported by a dedicated team of volunteer drivers and semi-truck transport, covering both the logistics and trucking costs, which are estimated to reach $25,000. MFB is committed to delivering this hay over several weeks, providing vital support as farmers work to rebuild.

To support this initiative, donations can be made directly to Midwest Food Bank on their website. Funds raised will go toward covering the trucking expenses, and any additional funds will increase the volume of hay transported, directly benefitting North Carolina’s hardest-hit farmers.

2. Bales of Hope – Hay Drive by Pontiac FFA
FCFI is also working with the Pontiac FFA on their “Bales of Hope” campaign. This relief initiative specifically targets affected countries in Tennessee and North Carolina, aiming to deliver donated hay, particularly large square bales but also rounds and small squares. These deliveries will reach towns along the Tennessee-North Carolina border, such as Washington, Unicoi, Greene, Carter, and Johnson Counties in Tennessee, as well as Mitchell and Yancey Counties in North Carolina.

The Bales of Hope drive has set November 9 as the delivery date and is coordinating pickup along the route, stretching from Illinois through Indiana, Kentucky, and down to the Southeast. For those who wish to contribute, monetary donations will go directly to purchasing additional hay and supporting transportation. Contributions can be sent here, for the relief fund in Jonesborough, TN. If logistics can be worked out, you may also consider donating hay.

Many farmers and livestock producers in the path of Helene lost much or all of their hay

For further questions on how you can help or get involved, feel free to contact our FCFI team at https://www.fcfi.org/. Together, we can provide relief and help bring recovery to those most affected by Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on the agricultural community.