Strengthening Appalachia through people, care, and connection.

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Help Us Reach the Forgotten Corners of Appalachia

Help Us Reach the Forgotten Corners of Appalachia

Community care that shows up before, during, and long after crisis.

Mountain Aid Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rooted in Western North Carolina, offering immediate disaster relief and long-term support for sustainable community development throughout Appalachia.

  • Mountain Aid Project was born from real need, real response, and real people stepping up for one another. What began as an emergency response during Hurricane Helene has grown into a community-centered nonprofit focused on resilience, recovery, and connection—because support shouldn’t disappear when the headlines do.

  • Our work is grounded in collaboration, transparency, and local leadership. We partner with other nonprofits, volunteers, businesses, and neighbors to make sure help reaches the people who need it…efficiently, respectfully, and sustainably.

  • Mountain Aid Project is on a mission to strengthen our community by offering immediate relief in times of crisis and long-term support for sustainable development, while fostering inclusivity and driving change through the power of people, art, environment, and education.

How It All Started

Mountain Aid Project emerged during the rescue and relief response to Hurricane Helene, when gaps in resources, communication, and coordination became impossible to ignore.

What began as rapid mobilization—organizing supplies, volunteers, logistics, and distribution—quickly revealed a deeper truth: communities don’t just need emergency aid. They need ongoing support, preparation, and connection.

Rather than dissolving after the crisis, Mountain Aid Project evolved—shifting from emergency response into a long-term community resource committed to preparedness, recovery, and resilience.

Our Mission

Mountain Aid Project is on a mission to strengthen our community by offering immediate relief in times of crisis and long-term support for sustainable development, while fostering inclusivity and driving change through the power of people, art, environment, and education.

At every stage—response, recovery, and rebuilding—we prioritize dignity, local collaboration, and practical care.

The Tilted M.A.P. Cafe

The Tilted Map is Mountain Aid Project’s community café and gathering space in downtown Morganton.

More than a café, it is a living extension of our mission.

All proceeds support Mountain Aid Project’s work, turning everyday moments—coffee, conversation, creativity—into direct community impact.

The space also serves as a hub for connection, collaboration, and local art, offering people a tangible way to support relief and recovery efforts simply by showing up.

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What we do

We believe effective aid is:

  • Local – Guided by people who live here

  • Collaborative – Built with partners, not in isolation

  • Adaptive – Responsive to changing needs

  • Respectful – Centered on dignity and consent

  • Sustainable – Designed to last beyond crisis moments

We listen first.
We adjust often.
We move resources where they matter most.

Immediate Relief

  • Disaster response coordination

  • Supply distribution and logistics

  • Volunteer mobilization

  • Support for displaced or impacted families

Long-Term Recovery & Resilience

  • Ongoing community support projects

  • Resource coordination with partner nonprofits

  • Disaster preparedness planning

  • Sustainable development initiatives

Community Connection

  • Collaborative hubs for nonprofits and volunteers

  • Creative fundraising through art and events

  • Education and information sharing

  • Local partnerships that strengthen the region

Watch founder Kriston McKinnon Watson discuss how M.A.P. is making an impact in Western North Carolina

Mountain Aid Apparel

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Show your Support

This isn’t just a shirt–it’s a lifeline.

The Mountain Aid Project was born from the heart of Appalachia, where families, isolated by flooding and landslides, fought to rebuild their lives.

Every dollar from this shirt goes directly to families in need, to provide them warmth, food, and essentials to make it through.

With every purchase, you become part of something epic: a reminder that hope is stronger than any storm.

How You Can Help

Mountain Aid Project exists because people care—and because care becomes stronger when it’s shared.

Whether you donate, volunteer, visit The Tilted Map, or simply tell someone about our work, you are helping weave a stronger, more resilient Appalachia.

  • Donate – Financial contributions help us respond quickly and responsibly

  • Volunteer – From logistics to creative projects, there’s a place for you

  • Partner – Businesses, organizations, and makers are welcome collaborators

  • Visit The Tilted Map – Every purchase supports the mission

No contribution is too small when it’s rooted in care.

Other Ways to Connect

Check us out on Facebook and Instagram

Contact Us

Community isn’t something we wait for.
It’s something we build—together.

Every message matters to us.

If you feel called to connect—whether with a question, an offering, or a need—please reach out.

Community begins with a conversation.