The Cherokee Clay Food Alliance is continuing to help those affected by Hurricane Helene.
The non-profit is shifting its focus to financial donations because communities are overwhelmed with physical donations.
Vice President J.C. Milam explains they wanted to help with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts after realizing just how much damage was done to communities close to home.
President Megan Lambert says the Cherokee Clay Food Alliance warns that donated items may do more harm than good at this point in the recovery process.
“The information we have gotten from the communities in the affected areas is that they kind of wanna put a hold on some of those physical donations ’causethey’ve really gotten overwhelmed,“ says Lambert. “It is just a much more seamless process to, you know, take a financial donation and purchase something for an organization or a community that has a need.”
“We’re actually having a harder time finding a home for those [donated items] than we are when there’s a clear and distinct need,“ Milam adds.
If an organization outside of the affected areas does have donations, Milam says they have a solution.
“We have become a point of contact for some organizations so we can direct them to others that are receiving,“ Milam adds.
After Manna’s Warehouse in Asheville, North Carolinawas demolished by Helene, County Coordinator of CCFC Marlana Baker mentions that local senior and community centers who are partners with them were greatly affected.
“They have approached us for help ’cause their families aren’t getting the capacity of food items that they normally do, and so, again, with our funding and withdonationswe’ve been able to fill some of those needs as well,“ says Baker.
Milam describes that already $5,000 worth of propane tanks have been purchased with financial donations they have received.
Financial donations are also needed to help the CCFA make long-term needs, especially when winter approaches, says Milam.
If you would like to learn more about the CCFA, visit their Facebook page. If you would like to make a financial donation, visit their donation page.
