Reflecting on Hurricane Helene
It’s been one year since our community was deeply impacted by Hurricane Helene. At United Ministries, our team has been in reflection recalling the days leading up to the storm was going to hit, the hours of torrential downpour that flooded our streets and homes, the howling winds that brought down trees and caused catastrophic damage, the days without power, without safety, without normalcy. And yet, when we think back to the period of Hurricane Helene, we are also reminded of the outpouring of generous, radical love that our neighbors showed up for one another. In the face of widespread disaster, we saw the true strength of Greenville – neighbors caring for neighbors, working together for the good of all. From the offer of hot cup of coffee to physically moving trees so emergency vehicles could pass by, lending generators to pump water out of homes to running to the store to purchase food for those without power, the aftermath of the storm wasn’t just damage, it was also hope.
At United Ministries, within days of the hurricane’s impact we had staff joined by volunteers, community members, friends, and neighbors providing ready-to-eat bags of food for three days, serving over 900 individuals and families with days of food security. This was possible only because 180+ individuals, congregations, businesses, and community groups donated their time, resources, and energy, ensuring that our tables supplying food assistance were never empty. While the line of people in need grew to wrap around our parking lot, so did the line of people with cars full of food to donate.
The power of community action didn’t stop there — as participants facing chronic homelessness found their way back to Place of Hope, they were greeted with coffee provided by Bridge City Coffee and community from caring volunteers and staff. We began to hear stories of resiliency and hope, such as one participant who was experiencing homelessness who couldn’t find a shelter or refuge that would accept her and her dog, who serves as her companion, safety, and security. During the storm, she took shelter outside in a parking lot with her pup and later shared that she just trusted that hope would keep them safe. After the danger had passed, she made her way to Place of Hope with blisters covering her feet where she was met with a care, multiple days of foot soaks, and first aid to help her heal.
One Year Later
The hurricane was a devastating event for people all across the region, but those hit hardest were individuals who were already struggling under the weight of poverty and scarcity. Individuals and families with low incomes and seniors on fixed incomes are coming to United Ministries in financial crisis because of disparities they were already facing which made the hurricane damage so much worse. As we experience the increased need from neighbors seeking food security, our food pantry shelves are depleted of resources faster than ever before. Despite these challenges, we know that we can count on our community. As an organization, we will continue what we set out to do each day:
To serve individuals and families experiencing scarcity by providing basic needs for stability and supportive services to achieve self-sufficiency.
You can join us in this mission by donating food, providing financial support, volunteering, sharing about our work, and advocating for families and individuals in our Greenville community experiencing scarcity.
Your actions during the last year, whether through donating, volunteering, or simply offering emotional support to your neighbors, made a significant difference in our community. Thank you for caring for your neighbors and making our Greenville community stronger.