I was too tired to post last night about my last day on Alexander Place. But that was good, because I had the chance to think about everything on the trip home.
I think the biggest lesson I learned this week is how far a little bit can go. When disaster wipes out some, or all of what you have, life comes down to food, appropriate clothing, and a warm place to sleep. For example, the man on Day 2 that had lost everything but what he could quickly throw into the car, donating the shoes because the one good pair he had were all he needed. A $7 big bag of apples can become six big trays of apple crisp. $30 of lettuce and spinach can become 12 trays of salad. That $37 can help feed a lot of people.
There are many, many of us in America who are not living in Western North Carolina or other areas that have recently, or are currently experiencing a natural disaster. Government is good for some things - getting the roads cleared and fixed, turning the power back on, getting clean water flowing, etc. But recovery really depends on friends, neighbors, and strangers chipping in as able. I’ve seen first hand how grassroots organization can get help to where it’s needed.
The biggest problem with grassroots help, however, is that when the “first flush” of help and aid is done, the need slips from our attention. Volunteers go home and donations stop. But the need hasn’t ended.
That’s where we are right now in WNC. Folks have gone home. Aid organizations are pulling out. Local people are now trying to simultaneously care for their own needs while helping others. There are lots of places there that have major destruction. In addition to Minneapolis and Swannanoa, I can think of Spruce Pine, Fairview, Burnsville, Barnardsville, Newland, Bat Cave, and Chimney Rock to name a few. The rural areas up around those towns are also damaged and sometimes still isolated. Repair and rebuilding has just started.
Some things will get easier over the coming weeks. When drinkable water returns to Buncombe County, more places dependent on that water will be able to open, and more people will be able to go back to work. There still will be people to feed, but it will be less. World Central Kitchen will begin to consolidate feeding locations around Thanksgiving. Distribution centers will start to consolidate also. As roads continue to open, it will be easier to get supplies and groceries. The next phase is going to focus on creating and repairing housing. Houses have been gutted, RVs have been moved onto lots and into yards; tiny houses are being built.
You can still help if you want to, and some ways do not involve spending money. Here’s a list ways to help that are specific to my two adopted places, Minnesota and Swannanoa. They are listed from most to least expensive.
1. Come out here. Helping at a feeding location or a distribution center is easy. Contractors and folks who can swing a hammer are going to be needed big time; well into the new year. You should arrange a trip through a contact and coordinate a place to stay. If you are feeling led to make a trip, it might take me a few days, but I can help put you in touch with people.
2. Gift Cards. This is really huge right now - people need gas and groceries in both locations. In Swannanoa the volunteers are using their own gas to get the food supplies to feed people. Many of them are relying on a tent to sleep in, Blunt Pretzels for all of their food, and friends/family for gas money. In Minneapolis much of the town works at factories over in Marion. It used to be 30 miles. Now it’s over 50. $20 and $25 denominations are great. Gas can be any major chain. Grocery stores in either location are Ingles, Food Lion, Lowe’s and WalMart. Swannanoa folks can also get to Aldi.
3. Cards and Postcards. There’s an awful lot of trauma. Just everywhere. Cards of encouragement can really be huge. If you have it, slip a $5 bill in. It will get to the right person. Doesn’t matter what the card looks like. It’s the note inside that counts. Can be as simple as “we are thinking about/praying for you here in <your town>. If you can get a few people in your neighborhood, church, hobby group, or work to sign it, even better.
4. Buy pretzels. They still need to pay the rent and keep the lights on at Blunt Pretzels! Minimum order is $20, shipped anywhere. https://bluntpretzels.com/collections
5. Spread the word, and keep sharing. All of my posts from this week are shareable. You can also post the link to those individual posts on Threads or Bluesky if you would like. (If you can’t figure out how to copy the link, let me know) On Fridays I will be sending a very short “news of the week” from my two adopted locations, with the single most immediate need. Those will be shareable as well. Let’s keep the story of WNC alive on social media.
So here are your contacts:
In Minneapolis:
Christie Hughes
c/o Minneapolis Global Methodist Church
2719 US 19E
Newland, NC
28657
I will get some specific names for cards and update this post.
Swannanoa (Blunt Pretzels)
Terilee Condron
Blunt Pretzels
120 Alexander Place
Swannanoa, NC.
28778
Cards can also be designated for Chris, Yves, or Sara. Terilee is the baker for Blunt Pretzels. She keeps the volunteers organized in the kitchen. Eddie Schoeffmann is the man who owns Blunt Pretzels, and has now closed it for 7 weeks to feed people.
If you want to send gift cards electronically to either location, email me for that contact info.
Thank y’all for reading this week and for your support and encouragement ! Writing has helped me process a lot of “stuff”. Let’s not forget these folks.
Please ❤️
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