Many local nonprofits are facing challenges as money and volunteer hours pour into groups with a more direct role in storm recovery efforts. These groups are trying to address the issue in creative ways, including reaching out to donors and volunteers outside WNC for help.
New Stories
Asheville mayor, Buncombe officials among delegation headed to D.C. to appeal for more Helene assistance
The delegation of regional officials traveling to Washington is believed to be unprecedented, but “we have literally never seen a disaster like Hurricane Helene,” Amanda Edwards, chair-elect of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, told The Watchdog.
Unstoppable: Efforts to end homelessness
“In the aftermath of Helene, Homeward Bound of WNC shifted to immediately address the safety of all our staff and the clients we serve through our homeless and housing services programs,” says Jessie Figueroa, the communications specialist of Homeward Bound of WNC
Smart Bets: Off Book: The Improvised Musical
Musical comedy duo Jess McKenna and Zach Reino will turn their popular podcast into a live, improvised musical production at The Orange Peel.
Unstoppable: Advocating for food security
“With the storm’s impact, we anticipate a significant rise in food insecurity as more families and individuals turn to us and other community resources in the coming months,” says Micah Chrisman, director of marketing and communications of MANNA FoodBank.
What’s new in food: Foothills Meats prepares to open Skillet in landmark Black Mountain building
Skillet will open in late November with an affordable comfort food menu from former Cultura and Funkatorium chef Eric Morris. Also in this week’s food news: a farewell part for Bottle Riot, a Thanksgiving dinner fundraiser for Eblen Charities, Sippin’ Santa at the Tiki Easy Bar, holiday pies and much more.
The Snozzberries reconfigure canceled gala event Psychedelic Circus
With its original venue destroyed by flooding, the band reimagined the immersive multimedia experience for a new location.
Smart Bets: Handel’s Messiah
The first post-Helene production from Asheville Symphony and the Asheville Symphony Chorus offers a pay-what-you-can performance.
Winning Hendersonville, Black Mountain candidates discuss post-Helene challenges
Candidates elected to council seats in Hendersonville and Black Mountain Nov. 5 know that Helene recovery will be a priority during their terms.
Unstoppable: An ecosystem of literacy access
“The majority of local students, no matter their race, background and socioeconomic status, were not reading on grade level prior to the storm, and they just lost another month-plus of critical instruction,” says Jessica McLean, co-executive director of Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe
Asheville lifts boil water notice
“Asheville water customers can safely consume tap water again,” Asheville City Council member Sage Turner posted on Instagram and Facebook.
From CPP: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians sees effects to tourism and agriculture after Helene, but uses tribe’s resources to send aid elsewhere
“We received quite a bit of damage, but nothing like people east of Cherokee,” Anthony Sequoyah, the Eastern Band’s secretary of travel operations, told Carolina Public Press.
Letter: We should ditch standardized testing
“If we want to continue and give our youths the best lives possible, why are we torturing them with this idea of standardized tests defining their lives?”
Letter: Our gritty, chicken-loving city
“But since reading the concerned words of Joan and Joy, I shall aspire to be a better and kinder citizen as we all work to rebuild and reinvent our gritty, chicken-loving town.”
Letter: Why so hard to apply for disaster nutrition program?
“The locations should have been multiple, the phone lines should have been accessible, and the deadline should have been longer than seven days.”