Cherokee County may have escaped the wrath of Hurricane Helene in September, but the storm’s aftermath still had its impacts.
Asheville-based MANNA Food Bank was severely damaged by Helene on Sept. 26-27 and is focused on relief efforts and rebuilding its own infrastructure.
That impacts free food deliveries in Cherokee County as well as Cherokee County Schools’ Student Weekend Wellness Bags program, which sends weekend lunches home with needy children who may not otherwise be fed between Friday and Monday.
The Town of Murphy, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Clay County Community for Schools, and Cherokee Clay Food Alliance are working together to organize Weekend Wellness Bags to ensure students have access to food over the weekend. Donations are needed to fill these bags.
“The sad fact is that there are kids that go hungry,” Cherokee County Schools Superintendent Keevin Woody told the board of commissioners Monday.
To donate money, go to the checkout.square.site page at tinyurl.com/yzt8dh8t.
The organization is asking for apple sauce pouches, canned soup/meals with pop tops, cereal cups, crackers, Cup of Noodles, dried fruit, fruit cups, fruit leather, fruit squeeze pouches, granola bars, instant mashed potatoes, oatmeal packs, jerky sticks, juice boxes, mac and cheese cups, rice cups, shelf-stable milk, tuna salad kits and veggie straws.
Drop off items at the chamber of commerce, 805 U.S. 64 W. in Murphy.