Lowcountry communities band together to gather supplies for upstate and North Carolina

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Citizens of Lowcountry communities are rallying to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene in the Carolinas.

One of the organizations stepping up is a North Charleston restaurant. Adam Randall, owner of The CODfather, Proper Fish & Chips, drove up to western South Carolina over the weekend. He collected supplies from the US Foods Chef’s Store before driving his trailer up to Hendersonville, North Carolina. Randall returned after completing the drop-off at a local church.

“Just started bringing stuff, we’re not really sure what we were doing,” Randall said. “We’re just doing something. When we arrived, we were the first truck they said they had seen to bring a major load of supplies. They had water – most of Hendersonville didn’t even have water, so it was definitely a much needed drop.”

Also, the Isle of Palms Police Department is collecting donations until Wednesday at 3p.m. after Sgt. Sharon Baldrick and Melissa Dawson put together a drive Sunday night. The two are partnering with Operation Airdrop. They are asking for lighter supplies as the helicopter can only carry a limited weight.

“Just the things we take for granted every single day,” Sgt. Baldrick said. “A clean pair of socks, diapers for your child, formula for your child. Formula is huge, preferably the powdered kind, so it can be mixed and it’s a lot lighter.”

These organizers said that they wanted to help because they know of family and friends who were affected as well as wanting to take action.

Randall continues to accept donations as he is planning to make another trip to the Black Mountain area on Friday. The owner heard from people in the region and said the need is critical.

• Bottled water
• Sports drinks
• Canned goods
• Personal hygiene products
• Feminine hygiene products
• Diapers
• Baby wipers
• Cleaning supplies
• Pet food (dog and cat)

“He’s like nobody is coming. Please send help, we need everything. Including a fuel pump which I was able to secure from another friend of mine that we’re gonna be sending. I think the Black Mountain area is going to be next. I would like to maybe get up to Augusta with a load as well.”

If you would like to help, here is a complete list of what will be accepted at more of these donation locations around Charleston.