Last Updated on November 19, 2024 5:07 pm
Recovery Update! After eight weeks of serving more than 4,000 families, the Banner Elk Resource Center’s final day will be Saturday, November 23, 10 AM-4 PM. Located in the Historic Banner Elk School, the center has received and distributed donations since opening immediately after Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage on September 27. THANK YOU for all the support!
More than 700 volunteers have helped at the center. “Our residents jumped into action on day one to distribute water and other immediate needs from Town Hall,” says Banner Elk Town Manager Rick Owen. “The outpouring of donations quickly overwhelmed Town Hall. Fortunately, we had room to move into our Historic School next door.”
In addition to the thousands of people picking up much-needed food, water and a big variety of household items, hundreds of truckloads of supplies were delivered to remote areas in Avery and surrounding counties. During the last few weeks, the local need for help has diminished greatly as utilities and water have returned. Also, the availability of volunteers has dropped drastically. It takes at least 50 volunteers at day to run the center, and many are returning to their jobs or leaving town for the holidays.
Since many of the items at the Banner Elk Resource Center are currently stored outside, the upcoming winter weather requires the relocation of those items to other longtime non-profits in the county that will continue to help for years to come. Two of those are Feeding Avery Families food bank and RAM’s Rack Thrift Store in Newland.
Near those two locations, Avery County recently opened a centralized distribution center at the fairgrounds at Heritage Park at 661 Vale Road, Newland. Currently, it is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 AM-4 PM. For current volunteer and donation needs there, call 828-860-5332.
“What the Resource Center has accomplished is simply astounding,” says Owen. “Everyone should take a moment to celebrate and give thanks for the thousands of people across the country donating items and our volunteers who jumped in to fill needs that changed daily.”
The Town of Banner Elk will continue its long list of recovery needs. Approximately 98% of the town’s water and sewer service has been restored and additional repairs are ongoing. The town will also be focused other damages to town’s infrastructure including roads, sidewalks and the town park. Meanwhile, the Banner Elk Tourism Development Authority has launched a comprehensive marketing effort to invite visitors to return and support the local businesses.
For continuing recovery updates and resources for small businesses, go to TownOfBannerElk .org
