Food Scarcity in Swannanoa: A Community Testimony 9 Months After Hurricane Helene
In the heart of Swannanoa, North Carolina, a quiet yet profound story unfolds nearly nine months after the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. With debris still littering the streets and businesses struggling to reopen, residents grapple with ongoing food scarcity. Although the headlines have shifted, the stark reality remains—many in this community are still in desperate need of fresh, nutritious food.
The Landscape Post-Hurricane Helene
A Town in Transition
Driving down U.S. Highway 70, it’s hard to ignore the scars left by the storm. Debris piles line the roadside, and shops that once bustled with life are now dark and deserted. The sense of loss is palpable, a stark contrast to the vibrant community that thrived before the winds of Helene swept through.
Hope in a Grocery Line
Yet, on a side street, a glimmer of hope emerges. In a church parking lot, a line of residents—about two dozen strong—wait patiently. They clutch grocery bags as they anticipate receiving support from Bounty and Soul, a local nonprofit dedicated to alleviating food insecurity.
Residents of Swannanoa wait for their turn to gather fresh produce provided by local nonprofit, Bounty and Soul. (Nickolai Hammar/NPR)
The Essential Role of Bounty and Soul
A Lifeline for Fresh Produce
Meet Shelly Dickerson, a devoted patron of Bounty and Soul, who expresses gratitude for the program’s assistance. Week after week, she returns to fill her bags with fresh vegetables and fruits including squash, kale, and tomatoes. For her family, having access to such resources has been a blessing.
“It’s been really nice,” she states. “I can’t say enough good things about Bounty and Soul.”
Challenges Post-Helene
The closure of the only grocery store in Swannanoa has intensified the challenge. The food desert that remains has left many residents with limited options. Paula Sellers, the deputy director of Bounty and Soul, emphasizes the community’s ongoing struggles.
“They need to restore their health. They need to restore their households," she insists. "Swannanoa is a food desert.”
A Broader Context: The Shifting Seasons
As hurricane season looms again, the community’s fight against food scarcity continues. Bounty and Soul now sources produce from outside the area to fulfill the urgent needs of residents. Sellers notes:
“Before the storm, one in six adults and one in five children in western North Carolina was food insecure. Now? It’s worse.”
A Glimpse of Resilience
Despite the challenges, underground networks of support are blossoming. Blunt Pretzel, a local bakery, has created a nonprofit kitchen to prepare meals for residents. Christopher Smith, who now works there, recalls discovering the bakery amid the chaos of the hurricane.
“I saw a line of people that were just kind of like, oh, my goodness, there’s food and water here,” he notes with an emotional intensity.
A Community Still in Need
A Call for Awareness
As Smith candidly states, “A lot of people think it’s over. It’s not.” This sentiment encapsulates the struggle of many in Swannanoa, who are still navigating the aftermath of a storm that impacted their lives in profound ways.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
Though the broader world may have moved on, and news cycles shifted, communities like Swannanoa remind us that recovery takes time. The lines outside Bounty and Soul reflect a stark reality—food insecurity remains real, requiring sustained efforts long after the headlines fade.
For those who can lend a hand, organizations like Bounty and Soul provide essential services that can help bridge the gap between need and accessibility.
In a world filled with conveniences, sometimes it takes a hurricane to remind us of the strength found in community—a reminder that while some scars take longer to heal, hope and resilience can shine through in even the darkest times.
