ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Duke Energy Foundation hosted an event today recognizing the work of Western North Carolina nonprofits in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The event, planned around the one year anniversary of Helene hitting the region, featured remarks from several nonprofit leaders and the announcement of grants on the state, regional and local levels.

The event was held from noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23 in the Pisgah Ballroom at Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park.

Speakers included Brittany Pruitt Fletcher, president and CEO of United Way of North Carolina, Claire Neal, president and CEO of MANNA FoodBank and Meredith Switzer, president and CEO of All Souls Counseling Center, with opening and closing remarks by Amy Strecker, president of the Duke Energy Foundation.

“I think what is most inspiring to me is in that post-hurricane world where we all came together, joined forces and really worked as hard as we could to support our neighbors,” Neal said to the crowded room. “Everybody wants to keep that going, wants to build on that momentum and wants to keep those partnerships going.”

In the spirit of those partnerships, the Duke Energy Foundation awarded grants to the following organizations:

State

Region

Local

For more about each nonprofit, click the name above.

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