“There’s not many things that they don’t need”; Local churches step up relief efforts for Hurricane Helene

HOLMES COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – Hurricane Helene brought devastation with deadly flash flooding in North Carolina. While towns affected are only beginning to recover, local efforts are underway by two churches to make sure residents have what they need.

Old Mount Zion Baptist Church in Ponce de Leon is hoping to fill a semi-truck with items to help victims in Asheville, North Carolina. Pastor Chris Carroll said they started their donation drive in Defuniak Springs.

They are now parked outside the Holmes County Sheriff’s office taking donations until Friday, October 11th, from 9 am to 7 pm.

“It’s just hard to imagine the devastation that they’ve had and there’s not many things that they don’t need as far as the household. So it’s just that most of the things that we use every day and don’t really think much about their need,” Carroll said.

For others spearheading efforts, the tragedy in Asheville hits close to home.

“I have my youngest son His wife and newborn live in Asheville. And we went through about two days of no communication with them whatsoever. Not knowing if they survived or they didn’t”, Associate Pastor at Elba First Assembly of God church Steve Bryan said.

“All of a sudden they woke up one day to complete catastrophic devastation and I can’t go through a day without thinking of what they’re going through. I don’t turn on a light switch that I don’t think about, hey, they can’t. I don’t walk into our kitchen and open the refrigerator and don’t think, hey, they can’t,” Bryan said.

He is collecting donations left at the Holmes County Sheriff’s office until Thursday, October 17th.

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