Organizations are still working to help folks whose lives were turned upside down when a tornado ripped through an area in eastern Burke County last week.
East Burke Christian Ministry donation center has received a large quantity of clothing but food and household items are still needed, said Lisa Cranford, who has been helping organize relief efforts in the area.
A temporary donation center is set up at Interstate 40, Exit 118 next to Hildebran First Baptist Church, Cranford said. The temporary donation site will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day through Friday.
Cranford wants to thank those who have donated to the victims, saying the response has been overwhelming.
The Eastern Burke Tornado Relief Team has organized a tornado relief effort. Six area United Methodist Churches make up the team, according to the Rev. Pete A. Overcash, pastor of Mt. Harmony United Methodist Church and Burke Chapel Charge United Methodist Church. In addition to the two churches Overcash pastors, the other churches are Hildebran, Shady Grove, Friendship and Abernethy Memorial.
The group is working on home repairs, temporary housing needs and spiritual needs, according to information from the group. To contact the group, call 828-397-6939.
Overcash said the group is working to get two single-wide mobile homes from the Wesley Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit outreach ministry of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. The mobile homes were used to house mission teams building homes, Overcash said, but had been broken into and stripped of their appliances.
The tornado relief team will screen tornado victims to find out what their needs are and then the community development group will interview those needing housing.
“Our goal is to be a long-term fix rather than a short-term Band-aid,” Overcash said.
The group is working the Baptist Men, Samaritan’s Purse and the American Red Cross. Overcash said the relief organization will meet this week with all other agencies providing services to tornado victims to ensure there isn’t duplication of services and to make sure those needing help get it.
Hildebran UMC, located at 110 South Center St., offers a free meal starting at 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday, with children, youth and adult programs starting at 6 p.m. Transportation is provided. Contact 828-397-6939.
Shady Grove UMC, located at 6908 Oak Ridge Church Road, Connelly Springs, also offers a free mean every Wednesday and food pantry from 4:30 until 6 p.m. Contact 828-396-3026.
An EF2 tornado last Tuesday damaged or destroyed at least 78 homes along its path through parts of Hildebran and George Hildebrand area of Burke County, according to previous reports.
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