• Shelley Henderson

A Space for Healing After Helene: The Salvation Army of Hendersonville, North Carolina

Hendersonville, NC (October 2, 2024)--Rick Hazzard is no stranger to The Salvation Army of Hendersonville, North Carolina. He volunteers regularly to ring the bells at the Red Kettles, takes photos at Salvation Army events, and helps at The Salvation Army Corps in any way he can. He is also deeply involved in the Lion’s Club, visiting schools to conduct eye tests for children. Over the past year, Rick has also been caring for his mother, who has dementia. In other words, Rick is a helper.

Recently, however, he found himself at The Salvation Army in a role he's not accustomed to – receiving help.

Since Friday afternoon, Rick and his mother have been without power and water, relying on snack cakes and whatever food he could scavenge at home. He searched Hendersonville for hot meals, but most fast-food restaurants and grocery stores were closed due to outages. When he heard that a pizza place had restored power and was giving away slices, he hurried to join the line, only to find that the very last slice had just gone to the person in front of him.

He then learned through his church’s prayer chain that The Salvation Army was providing hot meals at its downtown building and headed over to check it out.

“I’m used to giving people help, not getting help,” he said. “But we are so grateful to get this food. Hopefully, our power will return soon, so you can share the meals with someone else who needs them.”

A few days after the storm, The Salvation Army opened its doors to feed hot meals two times a day. Since then, it has become a community gathering place. People are not rushed out after they eat; instead, they’re encouraged to stay, enjoy a warm meal, charge their devices, and find a comfortable space to relax.

“We wanted to create a space where people could enjoy a hot meal while we do what we do best—showing love to others,” said Captain Phillip Stokes of The Salvation Army in Hendersonville. “People are not only being nourished physically but are also sharing their stories and giving hope to one another. This has become a space for healing.”

While Rick ate his meal, Major Curtis Kratz, an Emotional and Spiritual Care officer for The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services operation, visited with Rick and prayed for him, his mother, and the restoration of their power and water.

“God has called us to meet the needs of those in crisis. Asking someone if they would like to pray and seeing them smile as they say, ‘I knew The Salvation Army would be here,’ is a powerful and humbling reminder of our mission,” Major Kratz said.

The Salvation Army not only addresses the physical needs of people during a crisis but also works to meet their emotional and spiritual needs once those basic needs are fulfilled. In the coming days, weeks, and months, The Salvation Army will continue to work to address the unmet needs in the community.

As relief efforts expand, the Salvation Army urgently needs financial contributions. Those wishing to support the disaster response can donate online at helpsalvationarmy.org or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. When you support Salvation Army disaster services, 100% of your donation is applied to the disaster relief operation you select. The Salvation Army does not apply an administrative fee to any disaster gift. If disaster donations exceed identified needs, excess funds will be restricted to support future disaster services.