ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BP) — Buddy heaters, blankets and winter clothing are among the items being distributed by Baptists to those dealing with western North Carolina’s first cold blast of the season amid recovery from Hurricane Helene.

Rain and snow showers moving through the area today are accompanied by overnight temperatures dropping into the 30s.

Stacy Harris, pastor at Trinity of Fairview in Fletcher, lost power at his house this morning but is keeping warm thanks to his gas logs.

“The cold weather is certainly a player for the folks displaced and staying outside,” he said. “Churches have done a marvelous job of finding them a temporary place to reside until their housing situations are dealt with. God has been good, and we’re thankful for the goodness of so many others that have helped us in these times.”

Cold weather items have been popular, of course, but the urgency to rebuild has grown with the winter months looming. Harris’ church has engaged with five families to assist in their rebuild.

Similar efforts across the area have received a boost from North Carolina Baptists and Baptists on Mission through the Essential Rapid Repairs Program (ERR).

The program isn’t designed to finish homes but provide a safe and warm environment for families, Baptists on Mission executive director-treasurer Richard Brunson told the Biblical Recorder.

“We want to get them into a home that’s safe, secure, functional,” Brunson said.

Perry Brindley, associational mission strategist for Buncombe Baptist Association, told Baptist Press that multiple homes each week are already being impacted by the program.

“Trained, skilled Disaster Relief volunteers are able to get homes ready within a couple of weeks,” he said.

Churches and the association continue to hand out items. The relatively inexpensive Buddy heaters have become highly sought-after due to requiring only one small propane tank and being usable indoors.

“Getting those items and others like heavy clothing, sleeping bags and blankets are the main thing right now,” he said.

At the same time, some distribution sites have scaled back in anticipation of the next recovery phase — housing church mission teams.

“We’ve had teams from churches respond already,” Brindley said. “But we need to remember that this recovery is going to be a marathon.”

Hard-hit Swannanoa has progressed in its recovery, said First Baptist Church’s Pastor Jeff Dowdy, whose church continues to serve as a distribution site for donations.

“Power has come and gone for some,” he said. “There aren’t many in tents that don’t have alternate help. We’ve given away a lot of heaters, blankets, sleeping bags and other items in the last couple of days.”

If people don’t visit the area as part of a mission group, they can also help by doing so as a tourist.

Helene’s arrival came just prior to the most lucrative season for the local economy. More than $2 billion came in direct visitor spending in 2023, said the state’s executive director over travel marketing. This year, Asheville itself could see a tourism decline of 70%.

Most highways in western North Carolina are open with destinations ready for travelers. Some sections of I-40 and I-26 remain closed, however. Areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway have reopened, with numerous tourist attractions like the Biltmore Estate once again welcoming visitors.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Scott Barkley is chief national correspondent for Baptist Press.)