Community Unites in Asheville to Support Recovery After Hurricane Helene

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!


Author: HERE Asheville

HERE Asheville

Recent Posts

Asheville Students Face Hurricane Helene’s Aftermath and Potential School Consolidation

Asheville Students Adjust and Face Changes Following Hurricane Helene As Asheville, North Carolina, picks up…

8 hours ago

Asheville Mobilizes for Storm Debris Clean-Up Efforts

Asheville's Clean-Up Efforts Continue After Storm Asheville, N.C. is buzzing with activity this week as…

8 hours ago

Buncombe County Takes Steps Toward Recovery from Hurricane Helene

Buncombe County Begins Recovery from Hurricane Helene Asheville, North Carolina – Recovery from the catastrophic…

8 hours ago

Celebrating Progress: The French Broad River’s Path to Recovery and Community Resilience

Celebrating Progress: The French Broad River's Journey Towards Recovery Asheville, N.C. has been buzzing with…

8 hours ago

Richland County Hosts Christmas Supply Drive for Hurricane Helene Relief on December 2nd

Richland County Rallies for Hurricane Helene Victims Richland County, S.C. – It’s that wonderful time…

9 hours ago

Asheville Faces Air Quality Concerns Following Tropical Storm Helene

Asheville Faces Air Quality Concerns Post-Tropical Storm Helene Asheville has seen quite a shift in…

9 hours ago