Spread the love

By Charlotte Smith

Many churches and faith based organizations are working together to meet the needs in the communities hit hard by Hurricane Florence and the rising flood waters.

Currently, the Vertical Church members are hustling to coordinate assistance. They are housing Mercy Chefs an organization that prepares food to be distributed to folks in need during natural disasters. The church is also a drop off point for supplies to be distributed.

Lisa Saylor, Managing Chef with Mercy Chefs from Portsmith, VA said, “We typically roll in for about a week. We have been here since Sunday. We have been in Wilmington and Fayetteville feeding people as well.” The group is preparing lunch and dinner to be distributed to the drop off points throughout Bladen County.

Kellye Fell with Vertical Church said, ”Everything is dropped here and then distributed. People in need don’t come here to get the food and supplies they go to their drop off points. We are taking the food and supplies out to different drop off points.”

The drop off points the church named are: Farmer’s Market in Bladenboro, Depot in Clarkton (Clarkton location may change on Saturday), Elizabethtown Baptist Church, the Fire Departments in White Oak and East Arcadia and other lower lying areas.

Lauren Womble Thomas with Elizabethtown Baptist said, “We want to make sure the supplies get to those who desperately need it. We are meeting basic needs daily.”

Elizabethtown Christian Activity Center is where supplies are distributed for folks in Elizabethtown. The center will be open from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Dublin First Baptist Church has supplies being distributed to those in need that were donated by Union Grove Baptist Church from Wisconsin. Anyone needing supplies in the area of Dublin is asked to contact Pastor Jason Lee at 910-876-1457.

New Light Church in Bladenboro and Second Chance Church in Elizabethtown have been offering food for those in need out in the different communities.

According to the Bladen County Emergency Operations Center yesterday there is assistance available. The statement from the center announced locations for anyone with a true need for items such as cleaning supplies, diapers, wipes, formula, canned food items, first aid supplies, etc.

Each site will be open from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm daily for pick-up.

Visit one of the following locations:

*Bladenboro Farmer’s Market located at:

204 N Main St,

Bladenboro, North Carolina 28320

*Clarkton Town Hall located at:

81 N Elm St, Clarkton, NC 28433

Call: Angie Dorsett 910-647-5961

*East Arcadia Senior Center located at:

1472 East Arcadia Road, Riegelwood, NC 28456

Call: (910-655-0953)

Please note that these sites are not drop-off sites for any items; pick-up only. Please bring your own bag if possible.