Newport church transforms into flood relief distribution center, seeks more volunteers

COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — As Cocke County continues to rebuild after Hurricane Helene, one distribution center is in need of volunteers.

Crossroads Community Church Outreach Director Susan Clevenger said what started as volunteers handing out just a few supplies at the church has grown into a full-blown warehouse distribution center.

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"Between everybody working together, all areas of our community are getting what they need and it's beautiful," said Clevenger.

In a matter of weeks, the community church mobilized to take items to those in need.

"We have points of contact in all areas, all the areas that were affected by the flood. We are trying to get all of the supplies to them that they need for their community, and we also have people coming through to load up to take to those areas," she said. "It's just been beautiful the way the community has come together. All the churches have come together. This community has just loved on each other through this entire thing."

They are not only supplying Cocke County, but other communities like Western North Carolina, even bringing in volunteers from other states.

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"You know, too often we're kind of get we get wrapped around these other huge types of, things going on, and really, right now, what we need to be focusing on is helping other Americans here in North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, northern Georgia, and helping those folks out and helping them get them back on their feet," said a volunteer from Georgia, Jerry Barnett.

As donations pile high in the warehouse, they say they need more volunteers to sort, pack, and deliver these items. Now that temperatures have been dropping, they also say the need has changed.

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"The small heaters in the little propane tanks are the biggest need right now because we want people to be warm," said Clevenger. "We have lots of blankets. We've given people that need tents a tent and with the weather getting colder we just want to make sure people are warm. So the propane heaters are the biggest need right now."

For those interested in volunteering, they have established a phone line at 423-930-6052 and they ask those with immediate needs to visit Empower Cocke County to pick up personal items.