For weeks, David Burke couldn’t shake the haunting images of small mountain communities in western North Carolina pummeled by a historic storm. He felt their suffering as if it were his own and devised a plan to help. The 59-year-old father of two would make the six-hour drive from Seaboard to Avery County with his family, friends, and enough supplies to cook 1,000 meals for those in need.
But his community got wind of the idea, and what started as 1,000 meals turned into 5,000. Burke’s mission is now an army of over 200 volunteers helping to feed victims of the storm who will not be able to have their own Thanksgiving celebration this year.
The storm, Helene, brought catastrophic rainfall, downed trees, snapped power lines, and decimated water infrastructure, leading to the deaths of at least 42 people in Buncombe County alone. Many residents, including those with pre-existing food insecurity issues, are still struggling to recover. The National Weather Service called it a once-in-1,000-year rainfall event.
David’s initial plan for a Thanksgiving miracle became Operation Thanksgiving Blessings, a collaborative effort to provide meals, food, and supplies to those affected. His plan has gained support from more than 200 volunteers and over $3,000 in donations from across the country.
The outpouring of support has given a renewed sense of hope, but there is also a lingering fear of being forgotten once the initial relief efforts come to an end. Asheville, one of the hardest-hit areas, has seen a significant destruction, with many residents still without power or clean water, and a local initiative is working to ensure everyone has a meal and a place to go on Thanksgiving.
From the Blue Mountain Pizza and Brewery to the Asheville Poverty Initiative, local restaurants and nonprofits are banding together to help those affected by the storm. While progress is being made, the relief efforts will likely continue beyond the initial response, and there are concerns about the emerging crisis of poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness that will soon follow.