1. We need self-care and emotional support. It makes sense to be overwhelmed, afraid, or enraged right now. It makes sense to be exhausted, and yet, unable to sleep. It makes sense to be heartbroken and unable to cry. In the wake of this collective trauma, please utilize this resource for FREE counseling services. We cannot take care of others without caring for ourselves. Remember to be gentle with yourself during this time. You can also call this number for 24/7 mental health support 18009855990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
2. We need direct, monetary donations to those who are struggling. Giving to the GoFundMes and other crowdfunding campaigns of impacted families and small businesses makes a huge difference.
3. We need monetary donations to those leading relief and recovery. Some of the organizations we’re supporting include BeLoved Asheville, Helene Rebuild Collaborative, Buladean Community Center & Food Pantry, Keeping AMY Warm, Feeding Avery Families, Mitchell County Development Foundation, Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry, and TRACTOR Food & Farms. Donations to MountainTrue are also deeply appreciated. Our flood relief work has included wellness checks, mutual aid resource sharing, emergency fund distribution, clean-ups, soil testing, well testing, and more.
4. We need volunteers. We need volunteers to meet a variety of ever-changing needs. Some current volunteer needs include: 1) showing up in impacted communities to help when and where you are needed, and 2) driving donations from congregations and warehouses to their destinations. To sign up to be a volunteer with us, please fill out this form.
5. We need respite and housing. If you have a vacation home, extra bedroom, Airbnb, etc. now is the time to open your doors for those in need. Families and individuals need a place to stay until they can get moved into FEMA housing or confirm that their home is safe. People also need a place to decompress. Local and out-of-region housing is needed. If you are interested in providing short or long-term housing for someone, please fill out this form.
6. We need transportation. There are lots of folks currently without transportation because their vehicle(s) were irreparably damaged by the storm. If you might be able to connect someone with reliable transportation, please fill out this form.
7. We need childcare. We need friends, churches, and community centers to open their homes/buildings to help fill the childcare gap created by indefinite school closures. Even 2 hours of care a day makes a difference.
8. We need help navigating FEMA. If you’re someone who likes (or just doesn’t mind) paperwork, you could really help someone as they navigate creating their FEMA account. Sometimes just sitting with someone as they take on a task like this is enough. Right now, folks are overwhelmed, exhausted, and grieved. Support doing the tedious things that have to happen is a beautiful way to lend a hand.
9. We need long-term partners. The rush by so many to help is heartwarming. People are also worried they will be forgotten in a month. If you want to chainsaw some trees, know that there will still be a need for that in a month. Please think about how you can help communities through the ebb and flow of attention that we know is coming. It is estimated that some areas of WNC will not receive power for months.
10. We need missional buy-in. We need folks to support Sarah’s time in organizing (as well as the time of our colleagues at MountainTrue) by donating to MountainTrue‘s Helene relief. These donations make sure we can keep pivoting and showing up where we’re most needed as an organization. Please put “CCA Helene Relief” in the memo to designate your donation for our program.
11. Lastly, we need information. We need you to share what your congregation is doing to support relief efforts and/or what your congregation needs following the storm and its impact. We know faith communities are doing so much to ensure people are safe, fed, and loved in the wake of this climate emergency. CCA will help support that work by connecting congregations with relief and making sure impacted communities know what is available. Please fill out this quick survey to help us learn about the role you’re playing and/or what you need.

**Note: Because our director lives in rural Mitchell County, we have a unique opportunity to help fill gaps in this area. That said, resources gathered through our network will go wherever they are most needed and are not limited to Mitchell County, NC.

• Advocate for more sidewalks (pedestrian infrastructure), bike lanes, and bus/transit stops in your community.
• Embrace infill development in your community/neighborhood to reduce urban sprawl and make public transportation (as well as biking and walking) a more viable option.
• Personally commit to carpooling, taking the bus/transit, walking, or biking at least once a week.

General Information Related to this Strategy:

• Drawdown Solutions: Transportation

Available Resources in Western North Carolina:

• Neighbors for More Neighbors

• Help your congregation learn about and utilize public transportation and/or carpooling options in your area.
  • Post contact information (along with general location) of designated congregation members who are available to offer rides to events. You can also include these numbers in the bulletin or congregational newsletter! 
  • Post bus/transit routes in shared congregational spaces or on bulletin boards, etc. 
• Host a bike, carpool, transit, or walk-to-worship event in your congregation.
  • A great activity around Earth Day (and for Christian communities, the Season of Creation in September).
• Install bike racks near your building.
• Organize a bike ride or walk in your community for fun and fellowship.
• Regularly check the tire pressure on community vehicles to increase fuel efficiency
• Invest in a charging station for electric cars near your place of worship or in your parking lot.
• Replace old vehicles with hybrid or electric models.
  • Consider holding fundraisers for congregational vehicle upgrades.  

General Information Related to this Strategy:

• Drawdown Solutions: Transportation
• Care More, Car Less, from Earth Ministry
• Clean Transportation by cleanenergy.org
• Article: Religious Leaders Drive Campaigns for Fuel-Efficient Cars

Available Resources in Western North Carolina:

• BikeWalk NC
• Blue Ridge EV Club
• Asheville Transit Coalition
• Asheville Master Transit Plan

• Reduce vehicle miles traveled.
  • Plan your outings to consolidate the number of trips in your car. 
• Look for and learn about public transportation services in your community.
  • Do you have public transportation options? County websites are great places to learn about options in your county. 
• Launch a rideshare program in your faith community and coordinate carpool meeting locations and routes for those interested.
• Find people willing to give rides to others who live nearby.

General Information Related to this Strategy:

• Drawdown Solutions: Transportation
• Care More, Car Less, from Earth Ministry

Available Resources in Western North Carolina:

• Asheville Transit Coalition
• Asheville on Bikes
• Apple Country Public Transit (Henderson County) 
• Watauga County Public Transportation
• Cleveland County Transportation

Local Faith Communities Currently Utilizing this Strategy:

• High Country United Church of Christ, Vilas, NC
  • Contact Rev. Tamara Franks: pastor@highcountryucc.org