The first couple weeks post Hurricane Helene’s arrival have been a roller coaster of emotions. First, the shock of the destruction that Helene brought across the Carolinas, including the total loss of our partner food bank MANNA Food Bank in Asheville, NC. The devastation we experienced and witnessed throughout the region brought fear, despair, concern, and uncertainty.

Then came the anxiety-riddled moments as the CEO of MANNA Claire Neal frantically tried to get in touch with her staff. We held our breath and prepared to support MANNA and our four other impacted food banks in any way we could. After three days, she was able to touch base with every single employee to find that they were safe.

With the relief of that knowledge, came the realization of the enormity of the task in front of us. We settled into a pattern of work with our network of Food Banks to talk through all the decisions that needed to be made – and made quickly. The Food Banks that were not impacted came to the aid of their neighbors in full force, and what was instilled in us was a determination that we would help each other through this and help our neighbors through this.

And so, we have resolved once again to be the calm in the storm, to put the resiliency of our communities first, and to provide for those in need. We have seen heroes at every turn. In our communities surrounded by loss, neighbors are coming together to put each other first. Within our Food Banks, we are leaning on one another. Throughout our networks of other disaster relief organizations, we are partnering to expand our capacity.

The Feeding the Carolinas’ Association of 10 Food Banks has not only delivered food but hope to the communities across the western region of North and South Carolina.

Sincerely,