KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — For moms in western North Carolina, the impacts from Hurricane Helene are still being felt. But the needs these moms have are a little bit different, which is why Mission "Milk for Mountain Mamas was created."
"Essentially we started this when the hurricane hit, we saw a need for infant feeding crisis and we sort of responded by gathering breast milk was how it initially kicked off," said Meghan Haythorn, one of the group's organizers.
They have been to multiple areas impacted by Helene, including Asheville, North Carolina and Erwin, Tennessee. They said every time they go they're amazed by what they see.
"It's absolutely devastating, I think Meghan and I have said, 'How do we keep coming week after week, and it gets worse?'" said Jerilyn Wilson, one of the group organizers.
The group started with breast milk but has moved to other needs that people have.
"Started with breast milk, it turned into formula. Then it turned into diapers, wipes, pumps, carriers, baby backpacks, diaper bags, finding bassinets for moms who are living in motels," the group said.
They have also given out car seats for families, "We've supplied now over thirty car seats. Most of those have gone direct to families," said Wilson.
The group said the response from the community has been overwhelming, and that even though the work can be hard they have no plans on stopping.
"We'll keep going as long as the need is there and as long as the community continues to show up for us and for everyone in western North Carolina and East Tennessee," said Wilson.
If you would like to donate to the group you can find more information, like drop-off donation locations, on their website here.