About 200 volunteers came together and prepared thousands of meals for communities in western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene.
David Burke, a 59-year-old father of two, was behind “Operation Thanksgiving Blessings.”
According to CNN, Burke drove six hours with his family, a few friends, and enough supplies to make 1,000 meals to distribute to Helene victims.
The operation swelled to about 200 volunteers who prepared 5,000 meals.
“You would be amazed at just how many people have shown up here to come help this little old guy when all he really wanted to do was go out there and cook 1,000 meals and come home and nobody would ever know a thing about it,” Burke told CNN.
“The experience has already has changed me, there’s no question about it. It confirms for me any doubts I ever had in my own faith,” he added.
:Operation Thanksgiving Blessings — Meet David Burke! A man with a goal of feeding +5 thousand folks across WNC on November 28th, 2024! Please read + share!
Pictured is David Burke. One Sunday sermon brought him the mission to feed the survivors + locals of WNC.
(1/?) pic.twitter.com/wu4wm0z0Nk
— Savage
(@QueenOfRespawn) November 13, 2024
Per CNN:
At a Sunday service just two days after the hurricane, Burke heard a sermon about community service. Moved by the message, the experienced cook resolved to bring a Thanksgiving miracle to some of the hardest-hit areas.
He would put together a feast of turkeys and hams, served alongside southern Thanksgiving classics like stew, collard greens, potatoes, dressing, cornbread and an assortment of homemade desserts.
Every plate would be filled to the brim, he decided.
“I’ve seen the devastation these people have been faced with. We know that there are people still living in tents and trying to stay warm. People don’t have anything. Some people had their homes being washed away in the river, and then there’s so many people still missing in certain places,” Burke said. “What do you do about that? All we can do is go out there and do what we know to do and try to help people as much as we can.”
The next day, as he scrolled through Facebook, he came across posts from fellow community members who were also interested in supporting the victims. Slowly, their efforts joined into one, and Operation Thanksgiving Blessings was born.
Every Sunday afternoon, they would meet and plan the next steps, including fundraising and collecting donated necessities like winter clothing, baby items, toiletries, first aid kits, and children’s toys, which are still being delivered to the victims.
Several residents told WCNC that people are still recovering from the devastating storm.
“It’s so much help,” Chastina Blongia of Elk Park said, according to the outlet.
“I live right by the road and the entire bank came off underneath the house, and there’s still mud under there,” Blongia said.
WCNC reports:
As the temperatures drop, the need is more urgent in western North Carolina.
“The heat pump at the house isn’t working,” Blongia said. “So, everyone is helping with heaters and blankets.”
Folks are leaning on faith and each other.
“I’m just so grateful and thankful for everyone,” Jannie Atkins of Newland said.
About 4,800 meals were prepared. Even Santa Claus made an appearance to spread a little holiday cheer. Burke said they will continue to show support to WNC families.
In a time of hardship, the warmth of a meal and the kindness of strangers remind us of what the holiday is truly about.
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