Highland Becomes Central Hub for Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts in Asheville

Highland Brewing Company has stepped up to become a pivotal community distribution hub in response to the urgent needs arising from Hurricane Helene. The brewery is partnering with several organizations to aid relief efforts and ensure resources reach people in need. 

“The losses in WNC are incalculable, but our building is unscathed.  We can’t brew without water, so each day we make massive changes to improve and solve the next set of questions. Our staff is incredibly skilled and willing to do anything. The initial greatest need was for bottled water, then food, now sanitation. Today we have three 250-gallon totes have been elevated and placed where people can fill containers of non-potable water in our parking lot. Tomorrow will be different,” says Leah Wong Ashburn, Highland’s President/CEO.  

To maximize the impact of relief operations and utilize the 11-acre building at its disposal, Highland is collaborating with several notable organizations: 

• Beloved Asheville is storing essential supplies and coordinating volunteer drivers for delivery across the community 
• Wine to Water, an international disaster relief organization known for its expertise in water purification, is conducting training on water safety and establishing water systems at the site 
• North Carolina Highway Patrol is storing vital supplies to support their troopers actively engaged in relief operations 
• Flush AVL is storing totes of water 
• Curate is storing meat 
• Urban Orchard is storing cider 

Flush AVL is a grassroots initiative co-founded by Elle DeBruhl and Molly Black. This group is focused on sourcing and distributing crucial water totes throughout Asheville. Elle DeBruhl’s family has uniquely contributed by pumping and distributing non-potable water from their family well, aiding nursing homes, fire departments, command centers, and local neighborhoods. 

“The Asheville community is coming together like never before in the face of an ongoing public health crisis; if waste is left in toilets, disease will spread. Our partnership with Highland allows us to turn the tide and ensure that every community member has access to this basic necessity,” says Elle DeDBruhl, co-founder of Flush AVL. 

With Hurricane Helene causing widespread disruption, Highland Brewing’s transformation into a logistical hub demonstrates a commitment to community support, highlighting the power of local businesses in disaster relief efforts.