Memphis craft breweries are teaming up for a supply drive to help victims of the recent catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Helene in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
Among the areas hit hardest was the brewery-rich town of Asheville, N.C., which has been home to a vibrant craft beer scene.
Memphis Made Brewing Co. is leading the supply drive, and the brewery has enlisted other local breweries to serve as drop-off locations.
The most-needed items, based on guidance from Appalachian Voices, include:
- heavy duty trash bags
- kitchen gloves
- nitrile gloves
- work gloves
- utility knives
- shovels
- box fans
- rakes
- blankets (new, still in packaging)
- 5-gallon buckets
- crow/pry bars
- bottled water
- hammers
- non-perishable food
- pump sprayers
- baby formula
- wheelbarrows
- diapers
- dehumidifiers
- bedding (new)
- paper towels
- disinfectant
- hand sanitizer
- laundry soap
- tarps
- pre-made first-aid kits
- toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, menstrual care items)
- n95/kn95 face masks
- Batteries
- charged power bricks
- pet supplies (dog and cat food, crates, leashes, collars)
- power cords
- scrub brushes
- can openers
- duct tape
- underwear (new)
- bleach
- towels (new)
Drop-off boxes are available at Cooper House Project, 906 S. Cooper; Meddlesome Brewing Co., 7750B Trinity Road; Memphis Made Brewing, 16 S. Lauderdale; MFS Brewing, 206 GE Patterson; and Soul & Spirits Brewery, 845 N. Main.
All supplies collected by Oct. 12 will be send east to assist flood victims and help with clean-up efforts.
For people interested in making a cash donation, Memphis Made is asking people to send monetary donations to Beloved Asheville.
Memphis Made has strong ties to Ashville’s craft beer scene.
Memphis Made’s president and head brewer, Drew Barton, was the head brewer at Asheville’s French Broad Brewery before leaving North Carolina in 2010 to start Memphis Made.
French Broad was heavily damaged by the recent flooding and is currently closed.