Community Comes Together in Asheville After Hurricane Helene
Asheville, N.C. has been facing some tough times lately, especially with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The local area has been working hard to recover, and one shining beacon of hope in this challenging situation is MANNA FoodBank. Situated right by the Western North Carolina Farmers Market, they’ve quickly transformed into a critical support hub for those in need.
A Swift Response to Devastation
The impact of the hurricane on MANNA FoodBank was nothing short of devastating. The food bank, located on Swannanoa River Road, experienced significant damage, leaving them unable to operate as usual. Just days after the storm, Liz Hipps, the COO of MANNA FoodBank, summed it up perfectly: “Nobody could’ve imagined the devastation that we faced in our community, so we did lose everything.”
But instead of throwing in the towel, the staff and volunteers swiftly pivoted to provide support where it was needed most. “It was 100% a collective effort,” Hipps shared, emphasizing how the entire community and neighboring food banks rallied to help. Aid poured in from sister food banks in Charlotte and beyond, bringing with them pre-packed food boxes and supplies necessary for immediate relief.
Help Arrives
On Wednesday morning, trucks laden with pallets and boxes of crucial supplies rolled into the Farmers Market. Empowered volunteers jumped into action, ready to unload the valuable resources. Fresh supplies of water and non-perishables arrived just in time for those affected. It was a sight to behold—a community coming together united by the common goal of helping each other heal.
Struggles and Resilience
People like Kristy Wooten, who live on the West side of Asheville, were among those turning to MANNA for assistance. With her home still flooded, she’s been taking refuge in a hotel, but holding onto hope is getting harder. “The last few days have been very hectic, very emotional,” Wooten expressed as she accepted her supplies. “I know there’s a lot of people out there that’s worse off than us. But this is… we don’t know which way to go, what to do.”
Her worries are compounded by the fact that her husband, who is diabetic, requires a steady supply of insulin—a worry that could have spiraled into chaos if they had lost access to a refrigerator. “I mean it’s just so sad here. I don’t even know how they’re going to fix everybody and help everybody,” she added, her voice breaking with emotion.
The Human Spirit Shines
Through all this adversity, you can feel the spirit of the community rising. “There’s a lot of heroes that don’t get nominated or told, you know, but yeah, they are,” Wooten said, capturing the essence of what it means to rely on each other during troubling times.
Hipps, too, remains optimistic in the face of such a massive challenge. “It is unstoppable… our team is unstoppable,” she declared. “We are very committed to our community for sure.” Such dedication is inspiring, and MANNA FoodBank hopes to bring a sense of normalcy and hope back to those affected.
How to Help
If you’re looking to lend a helping hand, MANNA FoodBank is open and accepting donations every day from 8 a.m. to noon until Saturday. For those in need, pickups occur from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.. Even in the face of recent setbacks, the community of Asheville is showing that when times get tough, they stick together to help one another out.
So, if you’re in Asheville or nearby, remember that your support matters. Whether it’s donating food, time, or simply checking in on your neighbors, every bit counts. Together, we can weather the storm and rebuild our community!
