Freedom High School’s football field and field house flooded as a result of Hurricane Helene aftermath.
Freedom High School’s football field and field house flooded as a result of Hurricane Helene aftermath.
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News
Burke County churches extend love and aid in wake of Hurricane Helene
Members of Morganton's Thrive Church serve grilled cheese sandwiches and soup to anyone who needs a warm meal on Tuesday afternoon.
Annie Clark (left) and Everly Joyner enjoy a game of basketball at Thrive Church, where members of the congregation served soup and grilled cheese to anyone seeking a meal om Tuesday afternoon.
The congregation of Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church will serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
In Christian theology, charity (a translation of the Greek word agape, also meaning “love”) is most eloquently shown in the life, teachings, and death of Jesus Christ.
And in this time of dire need, in the fallout wrought by Hurricane Helene, many Burke County churches are living out their faith by extending the hands of love to others.
Some local churches are serving as collection and distribution centers for water and other supplies. Others are coordinating shipments from their respective denominations, as parishioners across the nation open their hands and hearts to render aid to Burke County and western North Carolina.
Offers of help from local churches run the gamut from free meals for anyone in need to necessities such as water, diapers, and baby formula. Some Burke churches are also opening their doors, allowing the public access to free Wi-Fi and providing outlets for charging electronics.
The Morganton First Church of God is offering free meals for those without power, every day (at least through Thursday, possibly longer). Breakfast begins at 9 each morning and they are also providing an evening meal at 5 p.m. The church is at 675 Summers Road.
Regan Pompeo, pastoral assistant at Morganton’s Mission Church, said the 221 Herron St. location is providing a place to act as a charging station, water (when they can), and lunch. The church is open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 3-6 p.m. each day.
“A huge thank you to … the whole community at Mission Church for providing hot coffee (my first cup in days), lunch, water, games, and lots of love and light in a time when it is desperately needed,” Bianca Moses wrote on Facebook. “The church is open 9-12 all week. They’ll be providing a place to charge phones, lunch, hot coffee, and water.
“Thank you for making my mama so happy! She loved her meal,” Moses wrote.
Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church will be serving free sandwich lunches on Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at their 960 Malcolm Blvd. location in Rutherford College. They will also have places available for charging devices.
Grace Episcopal Church Interim Rector Rich Biega said the King Street Church has power, water, and internet capability.
“There is good news,” Biega reported on Facebook. “If you need to use the internet, charge your electronic appliances, or just hang out in a lighted environment, don’t hesitate to come here.
“If no one is in the parish hall, come to the rectory, because Betsy and I are both on site,” he added. “Please believe me — this is not an inconvenience for either of us.”
Burkemont Baptist Church, located at 4668 Burkemont Road, Morganton, has emergency kits available, along with toilet paper, hygiene items, diapers, and nonperishable foods.
Thrive Church, 215 Pete Brittain Road in Morganton, served a free community meal on Oct. 1, from 4-8 p.m. The meal included soup, grilled cheese, and a drink, and will be available to anyone in Morganton who needs a warm meal, while supplies last.
The Rock Church at 4806 U.S. 64 in Morganton, is serving free meals from 3-5 p.m. this week. Ashly Brooke Benton wrote on Facebook, “I just want to brag on The Rock Church-Morganton for a minute.
“Today they prepared a hot meal to serve to anyone who was able to make it out to their diner (FOR FREE). Afterward, they delivered the leftovers around town to those who needed it along with bottles of water,” Benton added.
Sandra Wilkerson Queen may be reached at 828-445-8595, ext. 2002, or sandra@thepaper.media.
News
Cable, internet, cell service restored in some areas but spotty
Cellphone and internet service have slowly started to pick up after several dead zones throughout the county. Severe flooding broken power lines had left thousands of residents with no access to contact families to report their safety.
It has been reported that cellphone, cable and internet providers are currently working vigorously to restore services. Burke county’s top cellphone providers are Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
A report from T-Mobile was released yesterday that stated North Carolina and South Carolina crews had limited site access to restore 132 sites and position 149 portable generators in the last 24 hours. According to the company, yesterday, trucks were headed to Asheville and Cherokee.
Verizon wireless has issued a statement that they will waive domestic call, text, and data usage for postpaid consumers (customer who pays for their mobile services after they have used them, rather than paying in advance) impacted by the storm in Burke from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5.
According to Verizon, customers do not have to take any action to take advantage of the offer. Any overages for those whose billing cycles have already closed will be automatically credited back.
For prepaid customers using Straight Talk, Tracfone, Wireless, Simple Mobile, Walmart Family Mobile, Net10, GoSmart, and Page Plus, Verizon will extend service end dates to Oct. 5.
CoMPAS Cable released a statement regarding cable outages:
“Currently we are working to restore all services as quickly and safely as possible. We do not have any estimated times for repair at this time. As power is restored, we then are able to start our repairs and will do so as quickly as possible.
“If power has been restored and you still do not have service it could be equipment between your house and our head-end facility, which still does not have power. If you have questions, you can reach our office at 828-438-5353 and press 0 to speak with someone. We appreciate your patience as we work diligently to restore your services.”
Charda Pearson may be reached at 828-445-8595, ext. 2012, or charda@thepaper.media.
