In the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene in late Sept 2024, Asheville NC (and all of Western North Carolina, parts of East TN and Upstate SC) became a disaster zone. I’m extremely grateful that my family, our homes, our animals & loved ones are alive & intact. During this time, World Central Kitchen was the first disaster aid response I heard of just a day or two after the flooding.
I cannot thank World Central Kitchen enough for their service to WNC during this time. I’m a single mom whose baby boy was just 6 months old at this time. It was hard enough surviving without power, water and internet let alone figuring out how to feed myself with H2O I could trust. Having the reliability and consistency of a free, daily hot meal provided by WCK was invaluable to myself and certainly many others.
The meals were tasty and regionally considerate. Food like chili, cornbread, collards, Brunswick stew, pork loin, beans, shepherds pie etc that really hit the spot. WCK showed up swiftly with humility and respect for our community. Local restaurants and individuals flocked to volunteer at the serving spots to feed folx such as myself. WCK have served their last meal as of November 30th 2024 & I must have eaten 50 meals during this time.
I came to trust World Central Kitchen water above all other sources including even bottled water because I didn’t think they were adding “purified minerals” to the tankards. I would travel to the UNETE parking lot and fill water from these contraptions.
I was already familiar with WCK as a non-profit because of Top Chef and Chef Jose Andres. It’s a weird feeling to desire being in WCK’s orbit knowing they only go to the hardest hit disaster areas globally. You never really expect your home to become that place.
Now that the worst is over, I am here if you need a celebrity spokesperson! Have your people call my people.
World Central Kitchen believes that food ( and water) are Universal Rights, they operate with a model that utilizes local sources and organizations. I’ve heard that Bears BBQ is going to keep going with this model independently to continue this work.
Please consider donating to World Central Kitchen. Once again and from the depths of my heart, thank you.
WNC is strong but please do not forget about us. Though our resolve is strong, it will surely take years to rebuild, preferably not in the floodplain.
If you enjoyed this writing and feel so inclined to contribute to my family’s well-being during this time of uncertainty and transition, I would be very grateful and appreciative.
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My family and I appreciate you more than you know.
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Becca Steinhoff 