CBFNC Disaster Response Contact
Rev. Dr. Wanda Kidd
Helene disaster response director
DR@cbfnc.org
828-507-5723
How to Help the Recovery in Western NC
- Christmas for the Mountains Gift Card Collection: Many churches and organizations continue to be overwhelmed with physical donations. Local pastors say that gift cards would be easier to use than large deliveries of toys and other items. Gift cards will count as revenue when used locally, which will be very helpful for the local economies that have been devastated along with homes and infrastructure. We are encouraging mission groups, Sunday School classes or individuals to contribute gift cards to this project. Purchase gift cards for stores they can use locally in amounts of $25 and $50. Get more information on this special initiative here.
- Volunteer Opportunities: Several CBFNC churches in WNC are equipped to house volunteer teams and hosting teams on a regular basis. Please contact Wanda Kidd at DR@cbfnc.org or 828-507-5723 to coordinate opportunities for your teams. We also encourage you to continue to monitor opportunities through Baptists on Mission at: https://baptistsonmission.org/Mission-Projects/By-Mission-Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Helene
- Donate Money: Make a financial gift CBFNC’s Disaster Response Fund, where 100% of the money goes to help people in the affected communities. CBFNC uses these funds to provide grants to churches to meet specific needs and to purchase larger items in mass quantities to support the recovery efforts. Give online or mail a donation to CBFNC, 2640 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Please note “Disaster Response” on the check.
Give Online Here
DISASTER RELIEF GRANTS FOR CHURCHES
The Disaster Relief Grant is for CBFNC churches that seek to reach out to their community during a time of crisis. Churches in western North Carolina are encouraged to apply as needs and projects arise. Partnership with community organizations and other churches of any denomination is encouraged. Grant funds are made possible from gifts to CBFNC’s Disaster Response Fund and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Complete the online Disaster Relief Grant application here.
Disaster Response Update 12.03.24
In the months since Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in western North Carolina, our fellowship has come together in many ways to address the needs in the communities directly affected by the devastation. As a reminder, CBFNC is not primarily a disaster response organization, and we are definitely not first responders. Our approach to disaster response is to connect with other partners and local churches to address long-term needs in areas affected by disasters. We began responding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene as reports of the horrific devastation started to emerge at the end of September.
To date, our collective efforts as a fellowship have included:
Care and Communication
First and foremost, CBFNC leaders began attempting to contact partner church pastors and leaders in the mountain communities to ensure their safety and assess response opportunities as soon as the storm passed. Through many text messages, phone calls and emails, we were able to connect with almost all of our churches in the affected areas. Our staff immediately began to facilitate communication with our larger fellowship and ministry planning. In the days and weeks that followed, we also convened several weekly Zoom gathering to bring pastors and church leaders across the western region together for prayer, emotional support and to listen to the needs in their specific communities.
Coordination of Response Opportunities
Response and recovery efforts in the communities that were significantly impacted will be a long-term development. As of Dec. 3, 2024, CBFNC’s response has included:
- Facilitating the deployment of three shower trailers
- Delivering over 1,000 disaster relief buckets with an additional 300+ stored for deployment when needed
- Purchasing and delivering 1,089 plastic storage totes
- Coordinating “Christmas for the Mountains” gift card collection
- Collecting disaster relief funds that have been distributed as grants to local churches for:
- First Baptist, Mars Hill to purchase mattresses to house work teams
- Canton First Baptist to purchase a trailer to transport food & supplies to people who can’t get out
- Connecting groups with volunteer opportunities through partners such as Baptists on Mission
- Facilitating zoom gatherings for pastors in the region to share experiences, offer support and help coordinate our response
Dedicated Leadership
As we have learned from pervious disasters, the recovery will be long-term and the needs change rapidly. We are grateful that Wanda Kidd, former CBFNC collegiate engagement coordinator and long-time western NC leader, agreed to come on board as CBFNC’s temporary Helene disaster response director. In addition to serving as CBFNC’s primary contact for Helene disaster response, Wanda is working directly with churches in the affected communities and coordinating our response initiatives.
Contact Wanda at DR@cbfnc.org or 828-507-5723
CBFNC is 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 western North Carolina. Please continue to pray for our beloved mountain communities and all those who are helping in the recovery. Follow CBFNC’s communications (emails, website and social media) to guide your prayers and inform future opportunities to be engaged.
