Hurricane Helene -
Asheville Response

UPDATE #39

CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE MADE EASY!

Crisis Response International is excited to be partnering with AVL City Church to bless the families in Western North Carolina still recovering from Hurricane Helene with an amazing Christmas Toy Drive. Why it makes such a difference: Potable water was not restored for almost 6 weeks, and because this is a tourism-driven economy here in the Asheville area, many restaurants and hotels were closed. This left many people underemployed or unemployed for over a month. Many parents are unable to provide presents for their children due to focusing on rent first. This is a great way for Crisis Response International and the local church to really impact the area with an injection of help and hope!

Here is the Amazon link mentioned in the video: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1565TX22SJ54W?ref_=wl_share

If you want to send new, unwrapped gifts separately, please mail them to:

CRI TOY DRIVE AVL City Church

3867 Sweeten Creek Rd.

Arden, NC 28704 Be sure they arrive by December 12th!

Thanks for giving!

UPDATE #38

Crisis Response International joined an amazing local church, AVL City Church in their Thanksgiving distribution for a beautiful day of serving. Joy Church brought in another $9,000 in much needed food and together we were able to give out over 100 turkeys and hams, 23 pallets of food and hygiene items, and it was a huge success! The giveaway was made even more precious when 18 Girl Scouts, from 7 different troops, across 3 counties, came and spent a day organizing all the food into really nice totes donated by Jen Oneglia from Charlotte. Thank you for your generous giving, it allows us to continue being the hands and feet of Jesus serving in Western North Carolina.

UPDATE #37

What about Thanksgiving and Christmas?! Don’t worry! Crisis Response International has been partnering with churches all along and we plan on joining AVL City Church as they lead the way! It’s such a beautiful thing to join God in what He is already doing and be a part of it! AVL City Church has amazing plans already in action for Thanksgiving and Christmas and it is an honor for us to join them in their efforts. Thanks for empowering us to serve and continue to impact this community in Western North Carolina.

UPDATE #36

Day 56 after the hurricane in Asheville, NC we continue to serve despite winter weather. Be a part of the beautiful injection of help and hope that Crisis Response International is bringing to Western North Carolina. Connect through criout.com for more details.

UPDATE #35

It’s partners that give that allow Crisis Response International to represent the extravagant love of God! Today in Asheville, we blessed the community with 30,000 lbs of gourmet frozen food! Thanks to Somebody Cares America. That’s right, a 53-foot semi-trailer of amazing food people actually want to eat. This directly assists families that need to pay rent but have been unemployed or underemployed due to the potable water situation that went on for over 50 days here in Western North Carolina. By providing things that lower household costs, we impact families with help and hope!

UPDATE #34

Luca Jo discovers life transformation by serving. Being here, giving and loving, and bearing witness to help and hope in a community has impacted her. The raw reality of loss hits hard when she uncovers from the dirt a child’s cherished doll. Will your heart be moved? Consider Luca Jo’s call to come. Find out more information about how you can Train, Give, and Go at Criout.com.

UPDATE #33

An important update about crisis response in Western North Carolina. In a catastrophe of this magnitude, it takes time for city, county, and state governments to adjust their policies and processes to accommodate emergency solutions. We are praying for pathways that allow volunteer assistance teams to effectively rebuild with solutions that help those in need. Currently, we are waiting for permitting, inspections, and flood plains to be re-drawn, and safety is a major concern. There’s a natural pause in the chaos while the processes are evaluated. We know God has used us mightily, and we await the green light to continue serving with rebuild teams. But for now, we are reorganizing, and things are going to need to wait. Continue to pray with us for wisdom and discernment.

UPDATE #32

Crisis Response International is using practical filtration methods to solve potable water issues in Asheville, North Carolina. We will be distributing nearly 400 of these so that residents have clean drinking water and no longer be dependent on water bottle distributions. It’s all part of our mission to continue providing help and hope as long as God has us to here. Thank you for your continued support. You can train, learn about or deployment and give to projects like this at Criout.com

UPDATE #31

We are beyond excited and deeply grateful for the partners who made it possible for us to acquire this new modular base camp to house our relief volunteers. This will have a profound impact on our deployments, allowing us to respond faster and stay longer—ultimately helping more people in times of crisis and disaster. Thank you on behalf of all those we serve! 🙏

UPDATE #30

We’re continuing to serve the residents of Asheville in the Arden area by distributing household items to those impacted by ongoing water portability issues. Many people are out of work, but relief is on the horizon. Until then, we’ll keep showing up, helping residents save on monthly expenses through the "rent first" model so they can prioritize paying their rent or mortgage. As we distribute these essentials, we bring hope and share God’s love, providing emotional and physical support to this recovering community.

UPDATE #29

Asheville, NC has a tourism-driven economy crippled by the lack of potable water. The service industry workers in hotels and restaurants are drastically underemployed because the potable water situation drags on. Crisis Response International is using a rent-first model of distribution to lower this months household expenses as an injection of help and hope.

UPDATE #28

Another day of miracles in Asheville! ✨ We had just run out of food to distribute and turned to prayer. In a short time, an unexpected truckload of food arrived, giving us the resources we needed to serve the people of Asheville. 🙌 Thank you for your prayers and support—it truly makes a difference!

UPDATE #27

We often take it for granted that we can turn on the tap and take a drink, but Asheville residents are still under a boil order and can’t do that safely. Clean water is a huge need here, and we’re working hard to keep enough on hand. Neighbors come together when they pick up supplies, helping one another through these challenging times. Today alone, we’ve given away nearly an entire tractor-trailer load of water. We’ll keep going for as long as we have the resources and volunteers to make it possible.

UPDATE #26

Meet Mike, our “meat angel” from Disaster Assistance! His generosity has been a lifeline, consistently providing us with fresh meats and premium frozen foods to support homeowners in their recovery. This is the power of generosity in action—individuals stepping up to make a difference when needed. Thank you, Mike, and thank you to everyone for your prayers and support. We’re committed to serving this community as long as we have the volunteers and resources to continue.

UPDATE #25

We’ve been sending teams out almost daily in the Asheville area to assist with debris removal, tree work, yard clean-ups, and more. It’s an honor to serve this community and show what love in action looks like. None of this would be possible without the amazing partnerships and the dedicated volunteers who come ready to serve. Thank you all, and God bless!

UPDATE #24

Help, hope, and homes

UPDATE #23

Meeting real needs and bringing real hope! As we continue to serve the resilient community of Asheville in the wake of Hurricane Helene, a group is slipping through the cracks—people who still have homes but are now out of work. Many local workers were hit hard, facing weeks of unemployment or underemployment. That’s why Crisis Response International's rent-first model is so crucial in these times. Each day, we hear powerful stories from those we serve—stories that remind us of the real and lasting impact this work brings. We’re not here to simply serve and go; instead, we’re committed to staying and building long-term support. By partnering with AVL City Church, a true beacon of hope in Asheville, we’re ensuring that the care and compassion extended today continue into the long term. The people of Asheville are seeing their lives change, and it’s an honor to be part of this healing journey!

UPDATE #22

It is done! Thank you to all our friends and supporters! We are thrilled to announce that we've raised the funds to secure a modular base camp, providing essential housing for volunteers in Asheville. This means we can stay longer, reach more people, and serve without burdening local resources—making a greater impact where it’s needed most. Not only will this allow us to continue our work in Asheville, but it will also be a critical asset for future deployments, enabling us to respond faster and stay longer in other crisis situations. Thank you for standing with us in this mission to bring hope and help to communities in need. We couldn’t do this without you!

UPDATE #21

Today, we served smoked chicken, smothered cabbage, and potatoes to the amazing people of Asheville. If there wasn't a need, there wouldn’t be a line—today, we served several hundred in just under two hours before needing to shut down. With limited resources and volunteers, we’re pressing forward to support this community we’ve come to love. We’re here not just to meet physical needs but also to offer emotional and spiritual support. For many, a hot meal or a bag of groceries means they can put that money toward rent, especially after losing jobs in the wake of Hurricane Helene—things that often go unnoticed. Tomorrow, we’ll be sending out saw teams for debris removal and will serve dinner after 5 p.m. Special thanks to Wesleyan Church Network for sending supplies. Your prayers and support mean the world to us as we continue to stand with Asheville. If you'd like to volunteer or give, join us in this mission at www.criout.com. God bless!

UPDATE #20

We’re joyfully serving the greater Asheville area in response to Hurricane Helene. Over the past two days, we’ve distributed 30,000 pounds of meat to neighbors helping neighbors—it's incredible to witness this community come together in such a powerful way. We’re grateful to Somebody Cares for sending the truckload of meat to our distribution site and our amazing volunteers for their cheerful hearts in giving and serving! God’s Word reminds us to be cheerful givers; that spirit is alive here! Thank you for your prayers and support as we continue this vital work. Together, we’re making a difference.

UPDATE #19

We’re at a pivotal moment in our deployment here in Asheville – transitioning from the relief phase to the recovery phase. This shift means rolling up our sleeves for the tough but rewarding work ahead: muck-outs, debris removal, work teams, chaplains meeting needs, meal delivery, and walking alongside homeowners as they clean up and rebuild.

UPDATE #18

Help Us Establish a Base Camp for Asheville Relief Efforts

We’ve served over 21,000 meals and distributed 46 tractor-trailer supplies to those affected by Hurricane Helene. But to keep going, we need your support. We ask that you take a moment to pray and consider how you might partner with us in this urgent need. Every action counts, whether through a financial gift or sharing this need with others. Your support can help us transition into the next phase of this deployment and make a difference in the lives of countless families.

UPDATE #17

Asheville Relief Moving Toward-

We want to stay in Asheville! By God’s grace and with the help of incredible partnerships, we’ve had the privilege of distributing over 40 tractor-trailer loads of urgently needed relief supplies and serving 18,000 hot meals to those in need. We need to move our volunteer housing, and with housing scarce, finding a place for 40 volunteers and our gear is incredibly difficult. We are believing God and asking our friends and partners to pray with us as we seek a long-awaited key piece of equipment that will enable us to stay longer and respond quicker to future disasters. This modular base camp will be a game changer, helping us get on the ground quicker and provide shelter for our volunteers.

UPDATE #16

UPDATE #15

The cold weather has set in, but our commitment to helping those affected by Hurricane Helene in Asheville remains unwavering. Thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers, partners, and generous donors like you, we’ve served over 17,000 hot meals and distributed 34 tractor-trailer loads of relief supplies. But the need is still urgent.

UPDATE #14

More Supplies Arrive

Tractor trailers of supplies are arriving every day (3 today alone) to support the Asheville community. Come by for a hot meal or to pick up much-needed resources. We are here to assist you in any way possible.

Our chainsaw teams are clearing debris daily and delivering resources to remote areas. Join us between 12 and 5 PM at BB Barns, 3377 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville, NC 28704. We’re here to help!

UPDATE #13

We have served 16,000 meals and given away 30 tractor-loads of relief supplies. More trailer loads arrived today; thank you to Alive International, Somebody Cares America, Convoy of Hope, and One Accord Ministries, Avondale, LA. Today, we served BBQ sandwiches and salad.

UPDATE #12

UPDATE #11

This was our first day at our new location at BB Barns just 7/10ths of a mile north on Sweeten Creek Rd.

UPDATE #10

Small groups and various across the U.S. are stepping up, loading trailers full of relief supplies that always seem to arrive just in time. Your efforts are making a tangible difference here in Asheville; we cannot thank you enough. Every contribution counts, and every effort matters. Together, we’re helping bring hope and relief to those in need.

UPDATE #9

We fed around 1000 people today and water is still in short supply. We had an immense need to meet here. Partners stepped up to help, specifically to buy a skid steer so that we could unload the tractor trailers. It went immediately into use, as a truck showed up unexpectedly at 7 p.m. We also were able to go help clear a down tree from a woman’s driveway with it.

UPDATE #8

We fed 1450 people and gave away nearly two tractor-trailer loads of hygiene items, food, and water. Water still is a big issue and we almost ran out. Our teams are unloading the trucks by hand as they come and we need a solution soon as more trailers are due to arrive.

UPDATE #7

UPDATE #6

Several more trailer loads of relief supplies came and went out as quickly as they came in. We are serving well over 1000 meals a day. We would like to thank Clark Transport, Somebody Cares America, Ally Force, Burnt Offerings and Midwest Food Bank for partnering with us on this critical mission.

UPDATE #5

We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who donated! Today, we received three tractor-trailers full of supplies, including an incredible 40,000 lbs of sausage. And that’s not all—four more semis are expected over the next three days! Today, our teams served 1,017 hot meals, opened up for distribution, and nearly gave everything away.

UPDATE #4

Today, we served around 600 meals. In partnership with Holy Smokes, we served smoked pork, mashed potatoes, and plenty of fresh salad and vegetables. On Friday, there will be three tractor-trailer loads of supplies on-site for the community to take.

UPDATE #3

UPDATE #2

UPDATE #1

On our way to Asheville!