With predicted temperatures dropping below freezing this week in Asheville, Black Mountain, Burnsville, Spruce Pine, Swannanoa and other areas severely affected by Hurricane Helene, the need for cold weather items is crucial.
According to J.C. Milam, operations and planning manager with the Cherokee Clay Food Alliance, many areas are struggling with inadequate heat due to loss of electricity.
“This may continue into even the colder months in some places further outside of the larger towns, and that’s a population at risk today already,” Milam said.
Without proper heating Megan Lambert, president of the Cherokee Clay Food Alliance, is also concerned about victims trying to rig up unsafe heating solutions that could potentially lead to carbon monoxide issues or fires.
The Cherokee Clay Food Alliance helped James Ellis of Andrews collect 110 new propane canisters. Ellis was also able to collect 66 indoor safe heaters, three kerosene heaters, 40 large propane takes, 15 gallons of kerosene, heater filters and hoses to be delivered to Little Creek in Burnsville. The Cherokee Clay Food Alliance has worked closely with Tri-County Community College to deliver cold-weather gear throughout western North Carolina.
Mary Mason of Murphy has created Operation Blanketing Asheville, which is collecting new or gently used items. Donation bins will be set up at Appalachian Realty, Cherokee Guns, First Citizens Bank, Murphy Health & Fitness and the Cherokee Scout office in downtown Murphy through Friday, Oct. 25. Items should be cleaned, bagged and labeled (based on item type, gender/age, and size) before donation. Items needed are coats and sweaters (of all genders and ages), comforters and blankets.
Some organizations are only accepting new clothing, as this eliminates the need for volunteers to sort, clean and size-match.
If you are donating used clothing, please clean the items first, then bag and label them based on size, gender or age to ease the efforts of volunteers in affected areas.
Potential contacts for those collecting cold-weather clothing are One Warm Coat, Western Carolina Rescue Mission, Hearts with Hands, BeLoved Asheville and Caja Solidaria in Hendersonville. Churches are invited to participate. For details, call Mason at 828-516-1633.
Cold-weather clothing items needed are warm socks, gloves, blankets, jackets and hats. Items that can aid with heating efforts include hand and foot warmers, generators, solar-powered heating devices, firewood (many green limbs available aren’t suitable for indoor use), small and large propane tanks, and indoor propane heaters. The lack of electricity also affects the ability to cook, so items like charcoal, grills, cookstoves, and kerosene stoves are also needed.
Lambert urged those looking for a way to donate to “check with a contact person where you a planning to donate to ensure those items are truly needed in that area.” Relief efforts are entering the long-term relief period, and needs will be different for each area and change rapidly. Efficient and specific aid is vital during recovery.