#42 Hurricane Helene Disaster Coverage from James and Audra Holmes at the Perennial Holmestead in TN

Straight talk about what happened, why, what's going on and how people can help. Discussion about general preparedness follows. Specific ways to help:

• The Funny Farm: A small business that is leading grassroots efforts to get supplies to those that were cut off from everything by the Nolichucky River. Venmo @FunnyFarmTN (3632) put “floods” in the description.  Follow @FunnyFarmTN on Instagram and Facebook for updates.  Run by Tammy Stanton, one of the speakers that was at The East Tennessee Homestead Alliance Festival 

• River of Life / Michael & Deirdre Hefflin: Making meals for those in urgent need; Venmo @riveroflifemiracles CashApp:$riveroflifemiracles  Follow River of Life (River of Life Miracles) on Facebook

• Samaritan's Purse - Headquartered in Boone, NC, one of the cities that were hit extremely hard.  Currently helping in 5 sites.   https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

• Grindstone Ministries: non-profit organization that provides disaster relief and construction services to those affected by devastating storms.  They will be helping in Tennessee and North Carolina  www.grindstoneministries.com

• Local Churches:  Our local churches are playing a HUGE role in recovery efforts.  If your local church is collecting monetary or physical donations to send to a sister church in Appalachia, that would be a great option as our supply chains are currently very stressed.  Needs (NOT CLOTHES):

  • Living Essentials: non-perishable food, water, tents, flashlights, gas cans, propane tanks (large and small), portable grills (with propane or charcoal), can openers, baby food and formula, diapers

  • Cleaning and Sanitizing: buckets, bleach, gloves,n-95  masks, paper towels, trash bags