HAMBLEN COUNTY, Tenn. — The HOLA Lakeway Community Center was bustling Thursday afternoon with people participating in afterschool programs and classes — as it is on nearly any weekday afternoon.
The Hamblen County-based nonprofit tutors students and teaches adults how to speak English. It also helps address food insecurity, making sure families have food on the table when they go home.
Betsy Jimenez-Hurst, the executive director of the nonprofit, said it primarily focuses on helping immigrant and refugee communities in East Tennessee.
"HOLA belongs to the community," Jimenez-Hurst said. "HOLA is not for one person or for one group."
She said after Hurricane Helene made impact and devastated areas of North Carolina and Tennessee, the nonprofit is gearing up to help even more people.
"HOLA is there when there's a problem," Jimenez-Hurst.
It has already served and donated more than 1,000 meals for people in Cocke County, Greene County and Hamblen County. The nonprofit has also hand-delivered meals for people without access to food.
"They are so thankful for food. That's something everyone should have access to," Daphne Reyes said, who also works at HOLA.
The organization also received its first stove, helping to extend its reach and connect with more people in the aftermath of the storm.
"We serve everyone who comes through our doors. No matter if that's in our building or outside," Reyes said.
On Friday, leaders from the organization hope to head into Unicoi County to help with donation and with English translations. The nonprofit is also organizing an online campaign to help people impacted by the flood.