VALLE CRUCIS, NC – Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene blew through the mountains, Mast Store’s Mountain Strong Fund continues to support recovery efforts with $10,000 donations to MANNA FoodBank and RiverLink.
Hurricane Helene ranks as the seventh costliest storm in United States history, with damage totaling $78.7 billion according to NOAA. Western North Carolina continues the rebuilding process daily.
“MANNA FoodBank is one of our long-time partners,” said Lisa Cooper, president of Mast General Store. “They lost nearly everything after Helene except their willing spirit to help people.”
MANNA FoodBank’s operation center in Asheville, which serves 16 counties surrounding Buncombe County, was lost when the Swannanoa River rose out of its banks. “To see what they were able to pull together to continue serving their clients was nothing short of amazing,” continued Cooper. “We hope this contribution will help them continue with their own organizational recovery and doing good work to put food on our neighbors’ tables.”
“For many years, Mast General Store has partnered with MANNA FoodBank in the fight against hunger in Western North Carolina,” said Olivia Onderlinde, corporate engagement manager for MANNA. “Their continued generosity through the Mountain Strong Fund is another powerful reminder of that commitment. This gift is more than support—it represents nourishment for families, hope for communities, and the steady support of a neighbor who shows up again and again. We are so grateful for this enduring partnership and the many ways it has touched the lives of those we serve.”
RiverLink is an Asheville-based non-profit organization whose work is centered on the well-being of the French Broad River watershed. Initiated in the mid-1980s, the goal of RiverLink is to promote the river and its watershed as valuable community assets for people to live, learn, work, and play.
In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, RiverLink created its Recovery, Resilience + Planning Division to give the river a voice in the region’s comeback.
“We witnessed the power of water during Helene,” said Cooper. “Now is the time to plan for the possibility of more events like this one and to ensure resiliency with reduced losses. Our donation will help RiverLink continue making partnerships for the future and taking on riverbank stabilization, restoration, and repairs to damaged parks.”
“RiverLink is thrilled and honored to be the recipient of this incredibly generous contribution from Mast General Store,” shared Susan Andrews, the development manager for RiverLink. “For years we've been partners in this work to restore and revitalize the rivers, streams, and associated lands alongside French Broad waterways -- but this latest gift takes us into new territory for community impact. We can't wait to show you what a difference will be made for the shared natural resources that connect us all. Water is life!”
“We are thankful for the continuing support and love shown by our customers and guests,” said Cooper, “but we are not out of the woods yet. Many businesses in the mountains are still struggling to keep their doors open. We all need locals and visitors to come through our doors to continue our forward momentum. Choosing to shop downtown and eat at your favorite restaurant is the fuel for the recovery.”
Mountain Strong apparel and stickers are still available at Mast Stores for those wishing to purchase and show support for the mountain communities, and they are making an impact every day on the future of Western North Carolina.
The donation total for the Mountain Strong Fund is $180,000, including the most recent contributions. Recipients include: Valle Crucis School Parent Teacher Student Organization ($10,000 - to help teachers reassemble their teaching aids), Boone Area Chamber Foundation ($20,000 - helping small businesses in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties recover), Downtown Spruce Pine ($20,000 - a Main Street organization helping small businesses get back on their feet), MountainTrue ($25,000 – an organization that advocates for clean waters, resilient forests, and health communities), BeLoved Asheville ($20,000 – a community working to create Home, Health, Equity, and Opportunity for all in our mountain home), Asheville Chamber for Small Businesses ($20,000 – this group is helping small businesses who may not qualify for other funds get back on their feet), River Arts District Foundation ($20,000 – helping restore the creative heart of Asheville), and Boone Area Chamber Small Business Grants ($25,000 – helping businesses in Watauga County recover from loss of business and infrastructure).
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