ROBESON COUNTY, NC (WBTW) – Robeson County and the City of Lumberton opened a distribution center to help residents affected by Hurricane Florence.
Shane Everts drove with members from his church near Charlotte to volunteer at the site.
“We believe that’s our calling,” said Everts. “To help when people need help, and so it’s in our hearts to serve because we believe that’s what we’re called to do.”
Robeson County Public Information Officer, Emily Jones, told News13 more than 100,000 pounds of meat was donated to the county.
“They were brought, and several churches throughout the 949 miles of Robeson County came and picked up the chicken, beef, or pork, and they either went back to their church, and cooked it or they gathered it in bundles, and took it out to the individuals homes,” Jones said.
The warehouse was stocked with canned food, cleaning supplies, and meals, but some of the shelves sat empty.
“As soon as we get items in we are sending them out,” Jones said. “We’re not going to be a warehouse just to store things. We’re actually sending them out daily.”
Jones said cleaning supplies, and baby items are what is most needed by community members.
“People are going back into their homes,” she said. “They’re getting their homes mucked out, cut out the sheet rock, and they need to be able to be cleaned,” she continued. “Also, baby-essential items. We still have people that are in the shelter, about 80 people in the shelter, and there are babies that are there so we still need baby items too.”
Jones said the food and supplies that are collected are distributed to eight PODs around the county:
- Lumberton Jr. High School
- Town of Red Spring-Tredegar Building
- Allenton Community Building
- Unified Robeson County NAACP
- Pembroke Fire Department
- Carolina Youth Action
- Campbell Hair Care
- Southeastern Community Action
Larry Williams is a maintenance worker with the City of Lumberton, and said he feels grateful to help the people who were affected most by the Hurricane.
“It means a lot to me because a lot of people don’t have the transportation to come out to get this, and it’s like giving back,” Williams said.
Jones said she’s proud of the Robeson County community.
“It shows that we are humble, loving people,” she said. “It just shows love and compassion, [and] one thing my Grandmother used to say that people love each other by coming to the table, and sitting talking to each other, and that’s one thing; it shows compassion.”
You can donate, and find a list of items needed at the Robeson County distribution center here.
The distribution center is located at 2300 N. Cedar St in Lumberton.
