Asheville Comes Together After Helene: A Community’s Resilience and Kindness
Asheville, North Carolina, has seen an incredible outpouring of support and generosity following Hurricane Helene, which left many in the area grappling with the aftermath of its destruction. While the storm brought its share of challenges, the resilience and spirit of the Asheville community shone brighter than ever.
Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ Steps Up
In the wake of the hurricane, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ decided to do what they do best—feed the community. Known for their mouthwatering barbeque, they swung into action shortly after Helene passed. Cheryl Antoncic, co-owner of Bear’s, shared how things unfolded. “We were cooking meals and serving the community, but we knew we couldn’t do it alone for long,” she stated.
With internet and electricity outages complicating communication and logistics, it was a bit chaotic. But with a weak internet connection, Antoncic learned that World Central Kitchen was coming to provide assistance. “It started to set in something wasn’t right. The highways were shut down, no water, no electricity, no internet service,” she recalled. This was just the beginning of what would become a heartwarming collaboration driven by compassion.
The Arrival of World Central Kitchen
On a Saturday evening, a helicopter touched down behind Bear’s, marking a pivotal moment in the relief efforts. “Two guys from World Central Kitchen came running towards us like they had a mission,” Antoncic said, recalling the excitement of the moment. It turned out Bear’s had previously worked with World Central Kitchen during the crisis in Ukraine, making this partnership feel particularly serendipitous.
Mike Bean, the Community Outreach Manager for World Central Kitchen, shared how they tackled the situation. “Local grocery stores were all closed, except for a small market that allowed us to buy groceries on IOUs,” he explained. This creative problem-solving laid the groundwork for their operation. World Central Kitchen also hired restaurant workers impacted by the storm and organized a fleet of volunteers who eagerly showed up to lend a hand.
Building Community Amid the Chaos
As they began to distribute food, the team quickly reached out to those in the surrounding areas, including hard-hit Yancey County. “In one neighborhood especially affected by landslides, folks didn’t even know each other well. Our meals brought together over a hundred people!” said Bean. What started as a mission to feed the hungry blossomed into a vibrant sense of community.
Bear’s and World Central Kitchen have been cooking like there’s no tomorrow, serving an astonishing 6,000 meals a day. “We’re not cooking for fun; people genuinely need this food right now,” Bean noted. In total, over 1,000,000 meals have been served since they began this monumental effort, reflecting the dire needs of the community.
Looking Ahead
As the months go on, Bear’s Smokehouse remains committed to helping those affected. They will even be open for Thanksgiving pickups this year, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a warm meal during the holiday season. As Antoncic puts it, “We’re here to provide food, water, and most importantly, hope and connection. Nobody should feel alone in their time of need.”
By the end of November, World Central Kitchen plans to reassess their operations, shifting from daily distributions to a week-by-week basis as needs change. But for now, they continue to stand strong, fulfilling their mission to help those still recovering from the storm’s impact. “In this chaotic time, we are finding joy in building connections and reaffirming community ties,” Antoncic reflected.
This chapter in Asheville’s history serves as a testament to the power of resilience and kindness. As the community rallies together in the face of adversity, it’s evident that the human spirit is incredibly resilient. With their hearts and barbeque recipes, the people of Asheville are writing a beautiful story of hope and unity in the aftermath of disaster.
