BBF Grant Helps LANC Serve Western NC

BBF has provided a grant to Legal Aid of North Carolina to help address increased operational costs as they expand their disaster response to isolated mountain communities following Hurricane Helene. This funding supports vital efforts to connect individuals with legal and recovery resources during a time of unprecedented need.

Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) is a statewide nonprofit law firm dedicated to ensuring equal access to justice for low-income individuals and families. With over 400 employees, including more than 200 attorneys, LANC serves all 100 counties in North Carolina through 23 regional office hubs and 13 special projects. Their work spans a wide range of critical issues, from protecting victims of domestic violence and fighting housing discrimination to securing educational rights and advocating for farmworkers.

Since Hurricane Floyd in 1999, LANC’s Disaster Relief Project has played a pivotal role in providing legal support and recovery assistance after natural disasters. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, LANC mobilized its Disaster Relief team to assist families across Western North Carolina. Efforts include staffing Red Cross shelters, FEMA centers, public library clinics, and community resource hubs to connect with affected families and address disaster-related legal challenges.

BBF’s grant will help LANC cover increased costs associated with their expanded disaster response. This includes funding for the operation of their LANCMobile—a mobile unit equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi that reaches isolated rural communities; travel reimbursements for staff working in hard-to-reach areas; and software and hardware upgrades to manage the increased volume of client intakes, referrals, and mobile clinics.

LANC’s Disaster Relief Project serves as a “one-stop-shop” for locating available resources, hiring disaster attorneys and pro bono coordinators, and helping families recover necessary legal documents, secure housing, access recovery funds, and navigate contractor fraud and unethical landlord practices. Their commitment to long-term recovery ensures that families in Western North Carolina will have the support they need to rebuild their lives and prevent further harm.

This grant to Legal Aid of North Carolina is part of BBF’s broader response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. Since October, we have provided financial support to food banks, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and local organizations as well as sent nine relief shipments of critical supplies like water, hygiene kits, and generators. Together with partners like LANC, we are committed to ensuring that communities have the resources they need to recover and rebuild.