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COLUMBUS—In a heartwarming display of community spirit, local volunteer group, Appalachian Strong, Come Hell or High Water partnered with AmeriHealth Caritas, to host  a drive-thru dinner on December 20. The event took place at WithAll-Congregation and fed roughly 150 families in the area.

This grassroots initiative, headed by local resident Michelle Edwards of Mill Spring, aims to support the WNC community by coordinating relief efforts in response to the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Helene. Since then, the group has been working diligently to provide assistance to those in need.

“We are doing this to give back to the community,” said Edwards. “It’s about providing some warmth, comfort, and saying thank you. We’re thrilled to collaborate with AmeriHealth and are grateful for their support in bringing the bus out.”

The event featured meals for attendees and included the distribution of toys and clothing generously donated from locations like Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Greensboro. The bus, brought to the event by AmeriHealth representatives, serves as a mobile facility, allowing the group to reach those in need without the constraints of a traditional brick-and-mortar setup. Recently, the bus was deployed to Asheville to assist with relief efforts post-Helene.

The event was made possible with the support of WithAll-Congregation and co-pastor Rob Parsons, who helped coordinate the gathering of volunteers and resources.

Community members looking to volunteer or contribute to Appalachian Strong, Come Hell or High Water, can email polkreferralcenter@gmail.com. The organization continues to seek support to further its mission of helping those impacted by the storm and fostering community resilience during challenging times.