Charities, businesses, churches all pitch in after Burke tornado

Area restaurants are pitching in to do their part to help those who were affected by an EF2 tornado that ripped a 7-mile path of destruction through an eastern section of Burke County.

And folks from farther away are inquiring about how they can help.

Neel Hudson lived on Icard Rhodhiss Road for 20 years and knows some of the residents whose homes were destroyed.

Hudson owns Neely D’s, a restaurant located at 1816 N. Center St. in Hickory. Hudson and his restaurant is one of the eateries that is participating in a community-wide luncheon Sunday at First Baptist Church in Icard. The church has been the site of an American Red Cross emergency shelter and staging area for volunteers such as NC Baptist Men.

The lunch is scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m. and is for victims of the tornado, fire, police and emergency workers, as well as volunteers and anyone else who wants to come and support those affected, said Lisa Cranford, an organizer for the event.

Cranford said the idea came from some ladies in the church who wanted to do some type of meal.

Some of the restaurants slated to participate so far include Neely D’s, Arby’s, Granny’s Country Kitchen and Bojangles’, Cranford said.

“We’re just all working together,” Cranford said.

Other restaurants who want to participate can call Cranford at 828-381-7664.

If there is food left over from the luncheon, it will be boxed and taken to the homes of tornado victims, she said.

“It will be distributed,” Cranford said.

The Sunday luncheon won’t be the only way Hudson will help. On Jan. 21, Hudson will donate 100 percent of the sales at his restaurant that day to NC Baptist Men for the relief effort. Neely D’s serves breakfast and lunch.

Individuals also are looking to help. A man from Atlanta saw a segment on ABC World News on Thursday about the destruction in the area. He searched for a way to donate to the family featured in the segment, even contacting the Hickory Daily Record asking for a way to get in touch with the family.

Charities helping in the aftermath of the tornado include the Salvation Army, which dispersed bottles of water and food, and Baptist Men, who prepared meals for victims and emergency workers.

NC Baptist Men officials are looking for volunteers to help with the debris cleanup. If you can help with the cleanup, contact the Recovery Blue Hat, Howard Wise at 828-850-0702.

Suzan Anderson, executive director of the American Red Cross of Burke, Catawba, Caldwell and Alexander counties, said the organization’s emergency shelter will remain at First Baptist Church Icard through the weekend. Anderson said no one stayed at the shelter Thursday night but she expected that to change on Friday night.

“We really don’t know what to expect tonight,” Anderson said.

The latest information is that 78 homes suffered damage, many with major damage, Anderson said. With the damage assessments that have been done, there are families that have been told they have to leave their homes because they are no longer safe, she said. She expected the cold weather on Friday would also drive some folks to stay in the shelter.

As of Thursday, the Burke County chapter of the American Red Cross had provided shelter for 24 residents (including a one-month-old), served 200 meals to first responders and shelter residents and served 90 snacks to first responders and shelter residents. Those numbers went up the following day to 300 meals and 120 snacks served, Anderson said.

Red Cross volunteers and staff members have been working and canvassing affected neighborhoods since the tornado hit.

“The people who have been affected didn’t have much before the storms,” said Anderson. “These people truly need the help of our community and the Red Cross.”

Once the assessments are completed, the agency will make an announcement regarding specific items such as furniture or household items that are needed, emergency service specialist Charles Avery said.

He said clothing donations will be needed and can be dropped off at East Burke Christian Ministries, 103 Third Ave., S.E., Hildebran (behind First Citizens Bank).

East Burke United Christian Ministries (EBCM) Director Carolyn Yoder said the charity has food and clothing for people who need assistance.

“We’re telling people to call and we will meet people here if they need assistance,” said Yoder.

She will be checking voice messages regularly, so anyone who reaches the answering machine should leave a message, Yoder said. People can contact EBCM at 397-7074.

The organization doesn’t have a place to store furniture but is accepting food, clothing and monetary donations, Yoder said. —-The Outreach Center, 510 E. Fleming Drive, is also helping storm victims.

Volunteers are already on the ground with shoes, clothing, water and food, said Holly Johnson, CEO of The Outreach Center. They’ve also delivered portable stoves so displaced families can cook.

Johnson said because the damage is still being assessed, she’s not sure if more volunteers are needed yet.

People can contribute by donating gift cards for grocery stores or Walmart, canned foods (pop-top cans preferred) and clothing.

The Outreach Center also accepts monetary donations, Johnson said. People can call the center at 439-8300 or make the donation online at www.theoutreachcenter.org.

Donors should mark their contributions for disaster relief so the center can ensure the money goes toward storm victims, Johnson said.

Burke County United Way manages a Tornado Relief Fund, which applies 100 percent of the money donated to disaster relief.

“United Way will work with the local agencies providing assistance to determine the best use of funds we know there will be emergency housing needs after the shelters close and everything is sorted out,” wrote Sally Learned, executive director of BCUW, in an email to The News Herald.

People seeking assistance through United Way can call 433-0681 or visit www.nc211.org.

Organizations are planning clean-up crews and will need volunteers. People who are interested should continue monitoring BCUW’s website and Facebook pages for updated information.

Ways to help

—Burke County American Red Cross – mail checks to P.O. Box 1329, Hickory, N.C. 28602, donate at www.redcross.org, 1-800-REDCROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999 for a $10 donation —Burke County United Way – Tornado Relief Fund, mail checks to 301 E. Meeting St., Morganton, N.C. 28655 or donate online at www.bcuw.org; to volunteer continue monitoring BCUW’s Facebook page —The Outreach Center, 510 E. Fleming Drive, 439-8300 – accepting clothing, food, gift cards and monetary donations —East Burke United Christian Ministries, 103 Third Ave., S.E., Hildebran, 397-7074 – accepting clothing, food and monetary donations

Media General reporter Julie Chang assisted with this story.