Business owners across the Triangle and Sandhills are rallying around their neighbors in western North Carolina by organizing donation drives .
Many were impacted by Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic storm. It’s left them without food, clothes, or homes. Times like this show the heart of the community.
“It just hit us. We’ve got trucks sitting around. We’ve got people. We’ve got to do something,” said Lee Gardener, owner of Lee’s 24-Hr Towing.
“You’ve got entire towns gone. People have nothing.”
Durhamites filled three semi-trucks with donations to get them on the road to the mountains as soon as possible. Gemini Janas dropped off items to the Durham Rescue Mission’s effort as she thought of the many college students affected.
“Gosh, those students that are there and the parents wanting to get to their kids definitely pulled on my heartstrings a lot,” she said.
At Durham’s food truck park, the Can Opener, several businesses have partnered with them to collect food and make a difference.