NPR Feature: 9 months after Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina food scarcity is still real

We’re honored to be featured on NPR for our ongoing work delivering fresh, nutritious food and vital resources to neighbors in Swannanoa and beyond — especially in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene.

As Paula Sellers, our Deputy Director, shared, taking care of health and restoring a sense of stability is critical after a disaster:

“They need to restore their health. They need to restore their households, and they really need to restore a sense of order and connectivity with their neighbors.”

The article highlights how the storm deepened existing food insecurity in our region.

“Swannanoa is a food desert,” Sellers says, “fresh food in this little Swannanoa region is very difficult to come by. The Ingles grocery store that is located in Swannanoa did get flooded out. They had major impacts and it’s unclear if or when they are going to restore that store to functionality.”

Even before the storm, food access was limited. Now, the need is even more urgent — and Bounty & Soul will continue to show up, week after week, for as long as we’re needed.

Thank you to NPR for helping shine a light on this ongoing crisis — and on the power of community to rise together.

Read the full article at: https://tinyurl.com/y93pe7fb