Nearly nine months after Hurricane Helene pummeled a small North Carolina town, community members are still having a hard time getting fresh food.
What’s happening?
Located in Buncombe County in the western part of the state, Swannanoa is home to just over 5,500 people. According to NPR, the one grocery store in town was closed after Hurricane Helene.
In the meantime, a local nonprofit, Bounty and Soul, has been providing residents with fresh produce in a church parking lot. Deputy Director Paula Sellars said the organization will continue to serve people during their time of need.
“Swannanoa is a food desert,” Sellars said. “Fresh food in this little Swannanoa region is very difficult to come by. The Ingles grocery store that is located in Swannanoa did get flooded out. They had major impacts and it’s unclear if or when they are going to restore that store to functionality.”…