Kentucky charity set to help communities impacted by Hurricane Helene
Christian Appalachian Project sends essential items and prepares volunteer deployment
APPALACHIA – (October 2, 2024) Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Disaster Relief and Operation Sharing programs are coordinating efforts to help people in need after Hurricane Helene’s impact in the Southeast. First responders are conducting search and rescue operations as well as assessing needs and damage. CAP employees and volunteers are preparing to deploy in the coming days while five tractor trailer loads of essential items are on their way to North Carolina.
“We are grateful for the concern that CAP supporters and donors have for families impacted by the hurricane. At this time, we are mobilizing volunteers to help where we can be most effective,” said Robyn Renner, director of CAP’s Disaster Relief Program. “Once first responders have completed their essential and critical work in search and rescue, we will be on the ground to assist with disaster relief efforts.”
During times of disaster, Operation Sharing is the first of CAP’s programs to respond by delivering essential items to people in need. The program is currently managing donations from across the country to ensure relief supplies reach the impacted areas as quickly as possible. CAP’s Operation Sharing locations in Kentucky are sending three tractor trailer loads of fresh produce, food items, and hygiene items to Lenoir, North Carolina. Two additional truckloads of essential items are being coordinated from other states and will arrive early next week. Operation Sharing will continue to send additional truckloads as long as essential items are needed to help families get back on their feet.
“We know there are people hurting right now. We are trying to do everything we can to help them,” said Aaron Thoms, manager of CAP’s Operation Sharing program in Paintsville, Kentucky. “We stand with our brothers and sisters today in prayer and will stand beside them in relief.”
There are five locations in Kentucky where donations can be dropped off. These locations are only accepting water, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and nonperishable food items. Locations include:
• Southland Christian Church - Lexington Campus * 2349 Richmond Road, Lexington, KY 40502
• Paintsville Operation Sharing * 485 Ponderosa Drive, Paintsville, KY 41240
• Corbin Operation Sharing * 441 Ky Route 2417, Corbin KY, 40701
• Clay County Hub * 2103 South Highway 421, Manchester, Ky 40962
• W-D Bryant Ace Hardware * 1413 S Main Street, London, KY, 40741
In addition, CAP has coordinated about 50 volunteers to assist on the Crisis Cleanup Hotline where survivors can call in to receive assistance. Any agency that has staff serving in the area can access this hotline. This collaborative effort prevents duplication of services and saves time and money while helping the greatest number of impacted people. The Crisis Cleanup hotline has received over 17,000 calls thus far.
To donate today, please visit christianapp.org/respond and follow us on social media for updates about CAP’s response.
