How We Helped After Helene

Hurricane Helene hit Poe Mill hard. Branches littered the streets, trees toppled onto homes, and a few residential roads were completely blocked. Poe Mill was amongst the last to receive power and Poinsett Hwy was pretty late in the game in getting the stoplights working again. 

Interestingly, our church got its power back late Saturday night, just 36 hours after the storm. By Sunday, we opened our doors to members who needed to charge phones or cook meals. A little over 10 people came.

Dozens of our people served throughout the week in organic ways, having each other over and swapping essential items. Those are some of my favorite ways in which you all served. I’ve heard so many stories of generosity and I’m sure I haven’t even heard them all. 

A team of Griggs members also served in these ways throughout last week: 

• We gave out $5 gift cards to Spinx 

• We gave out  bags of ice 

• We gave out snacks, bottled water, and flashlights 

• We provided some childcare 

• We held a Neighborhood Network event on Friday for all our kids/youth of Poe Mill

• We cleaned up a yard and fence that were majorly affected by a fallen tree 

One thing I noticed was the gratitude. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much gratitude in our church and neighborhood. Everyone wanted to help, even those we were helping! 

One man we gave ice to, despite needing it himself, handed us a ten-dollar bill and asked us to give it to someone else in need! Some of our unhoused neighbors helped clean up our church parking lot and grass where branches had fallen.  

The pain of the hurricane isn’t over, especially for those in Western North Carolina. There’s much suffering still being endured and much to do. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who, through your generosity, gratitude, and giving, followed Jesus through the storm last week. 

Very proud of you all,

Pastor Mitch