The giving hasn’t stopped since late September, when Hurricane Helene caused devastating floods across six states, including a large swath of our beloved western North Carolina.
by Sharon Smith
This time of year the mountains are always on my mind. Even as peak season winds down, I’m no less eager to see the fall leaves, apple orchards and roadside stands in person.
The mountains are still calling. But it’s different now. And so is our response.
The helpers, the doers, the givers, the planners and the kind souls among us are answering the call with each grassroots effort to collect bottled water and diapers. Charlotte is sending its love in a big way.
At South Meck High School, students and staff filled a truck with 30,000 pounds of supplies in three days. In SouthPark, Suffolk Punch Brewing collected essential supplies. Boutiques like Sloan and Taylor Richards & Conger doubled as collection sites. SouthPark After 5 took in donations at a concert. Carnegie Private Wealth started a drive for clients and employees. Y2 Yoga in Cotswold and Dilworth collected tarps, blankets and more.
Carolina Farm Trust prepared and distributed 1,500 meals a day to hurricane victims stranded in remote areas. Chef Sam Diminich and his team (Restaurant Constance, Your Farms Your Table) served up hot meals on the spot at Burial Brewing in Asheville and quickly partnered with World Central Kitchen to provide thousands of fresh meals to hard-hit towns like Boone, Linville, Fleetwood and more. There are so many ways to help — and so many good Samaritans — it’s hard to keep track.
You’re doing good, Charlotte. We’ll keep SouthPark Magazine’s disaster relief list updated, as new giving and volunteer opportunities arise. SP
Photographs courtesy South Mecklenburg High School, Carolina Farm Trust, Suffolk Punch Brewing SouthPark, Carnegie Private Wealth, SouthPark Community Partners, Your Farms Your Table
