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Disaster Response Update 10.23.2024
As we continue to receive updates from churches and partners on the ground in western NC, we wanted to share some information with you about the best ways to help in the next few weeks:
- Clothing & Supplies: Many churches and organizations are overwhelmed with donations right now. We encourage you to please communicate directly with churches before organizing supply drives and delivering items. Clothing is not needed at this time unless specifically noted by a church or organization in the area.
- Financial Support: The best way to help right now is by donating to reputable organizations. You may provide financial gifts to CBFNC’s Disaster Response Fund where 100% of the donations goes to help people in the affected communities. CBFNC uses these funds to provide grants to churches to meet specific needs; to purchase items such as palettes of plastic storage totes (1,000) that were delivered last week to several communities; materials to prepare disaster relief bucket kits; and other larger items/support that will arise as the recovery effort continues to unfold.
- Disaster Relief Buckets: To date, our fellowship has committed to over 1,200 disaster relief kit buckets for WNC. Many of those have already been distributed; others are in the packing process or awaiting distribution. If you have not done so, please let us know if your church plans to provide buckets and the number you expect to prepare, by emailing info@cbfnc.org so we may coordinate distribution to the most-needed areas.
- Volunteer Opportunities: There are several CBFNC churches in WNC that are preparing to house volunteer teams. We will provide more details as they become available about volunteer opportunities. For now, we continue to encourage folks to look for opportunities through Baptists on Mission at: https://baptistsonmission.org/Mission-Projects/By-Mission-Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Helene
Again, we are incredibly grateful for the many ways in which our churches, pastors and partners have responded with the love and hope of Christ for our neighbors in this region. Please continue to pray for our beloved mountain communities and all those who are helping in the recovery. This will be a long-term process.
Disaster Response Update 10.16.2024
We continue to receive updates from churches and partners on the ground in western NC. The crisis there is now almost two weeks old and for many communities, the recovery is only just beginning. Here is brief update on the efforts CBFNC has coordinated to date:
- Facilitated the deployment of three shower trailers
- Delivery of almost 1,000 disaster relief buckets
- Securing of around 1,000 plastic totes, which should be delivered to the region very soon
- Facilitating other requested supplies in specific areas as those needs are communicated
- Facilitating zoom gatherings for pastors in the region to share experiences, offer support and help coordinate our response
In our first gathering with pastors from WNC on Tuesday, Oct. 15, we learned the following:
- Please rely on information from organizations like CBFNC and other reputable sources for supplies needed in WNC to be delivered to churches. We ask that you please communicate directly with churches before you arrive to deliver donations or to volunteer.
- Clothing items most needed at this time are winter coats, toboggan-style hats, socks and new underwear. Please have items presorted by size.
- We are working on a communications system to share supply needs on an on-going basis.
- Disaster relief buckets are still needed at this time. Please let us know if your church plans to provide buckets by emailing info@cbfnc.org. We will work with you on deployment of those buckets.
09.30.2024
We are all saddened to see the images of devastation and reports of lives lost wrought by Hurricane Helene in the western part of our state.
CBFNC leadership has been communicating with leaders of partner churches in the areas impacted. We are assessing needs and developing an appropriate response plan. Thankfully we have heard from most partner churches by now and damage to church properties seems to be minimal at this point. Many are still trying to confirm the safety of their congregants
We are hearing from a number of folks in our fellowship with questions about how to help. As a reminder, CBFNC is not primarily a disaster response organization, and we are definitely not first responders. We do seek to work with disaster response partners and local churches to address long-term needs in areas affected by disasters, especially neglected communities. As response and recovery efforts in the communities impacted will be a long-term development, please consider the following for now:
Pray – Pray for those affected, first responders, local leaders and all who are involved in initial efforts to help those in need in the affected areas.
Give – Give to support disaster response efforts through CBFNC at: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/dresp
Plan – As hands-on ministry opportunities become available through CBFNC and other partners such as Baptists on Mission, plan on how your church can participate and provide support. Here are a few ways you and your church can help right now:
- Disaster Relief Buckets: This week, CBFNC is deploying around 200 buckets that were previously prepared to the West Jefferson and Mars Hill areas. There will be a great need for more buckets as communities begin clean-up efforts. Organizing a disaster relief bucket “brigade” is one way church groups can do something to help. Get instructions here. Please let us know if your church plans to organize a bucket build by emailing info@cbfnc.org.
- Volunteer with Baptists on Mission: For hands-on opportunities for work teams, please refer to the opportunities through CBFNC partner ministry, Baptists on Mission. Click here for more information and to sign up.
- Church-to-Church Partnerships: We are exploring the possibility of pairing churches in central and eastern NC with affected churches in western NC. If your church is interested, please let us know by emailing Larry Hovis at lhovis@cbfnc.org.
WNC Disaster Response Missions Asset Survey
As we are praying and organizing to assist in disaster response with our western North Carolina neighbors, one way to help is to let us know how your congregation is equipped to respond. Please complete this survey to assist CBFNC Disaster Response in assessing our fellowship’s capabilities to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
We will provide regular updates as this situation unfolds. Thanks in advance for supporting and engaging in ministry efforts to our western NC neighbors who are in such great need, and our sister churches in the region who are striving to be the presence of Christ in difficult circumstances. Our prayers continue to be with those who are suffering.
May God “grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days.”