ARDEN, N.C. — Inside a warehouse in Arden, the work never stops. Volunteers with America Cares, a nonprofit delivering relief to families impacted by Helene, are sorting, packing and transporting essential supplies to communities still struggling months after the storm.

"The need is far greater than what’s coming in," said Jennifer Jones, the nonprofit’s procurement director.

What You Need To Know

  • The most requested items America Cares is getting are building supplies and materials

  • People who need relief supplies are welcome to stop by America Cares’ warehouse but are advised to call in their requests first

  • Jones and her family temporarily moved from Raleigh to the Asheville area as she runs the relief operation

Not long after the storm hit, America Cares began sending out truckloads of food, hygiene products, clothing and even generators to areas that remain hard to reach. A large portion of its food donations come from community partners, including Manna FoodBank, Costco and Trader Joe’s. These organizations help keep America Cares stocked with fresh produce, pantry staples and other critical supplies. But as more supplies go out, fewer are coming in.

Jones said it's happening at a time when the demand remains high.

"This was filled with pallets that were literally this high," she said, gesturing above her head in a mostly empty room in the warehouse.

Volunteers stepping up

Hundreds of volunteers from all over the country have come to help. Buddy Lyons, a volunteer from Florida, has been making deliveries even as he prepares to return home for surgery to repair a hernia.

"I have made so many friends in the 10 weeks or so that I've been up here doing this," Lyons said. "This is by far the most fulfilling thing I've done."

America Cares impacts around 35,000 people a week. Jones' own family has joined the mission as her husband, son and two daughters help sort donations and pack deliveries.

"Some people do ask, 'do your parents drag you out here or did you volunteer to come out here?' I wanted to come out here," said her son, Kody Jones.

"If we think about what everyone else is dealing with, we wouldn’t want to be in the same situation. That’s what’s motivating," added her daughter, Emily Seago.

Reaching the hardest hit communities

America Cares’ team is constantly on the move. We tagged along for a drop-off stop in Bat Cave and Chimney Rock, where reminders of Helene’s devastation are impossible to ignore. We encountered flooded homes, terrain carved away by landslides and roads that simply disappear.

In front of a shuttered antique shop in Bat Cave is a relief operation run by a couple. America Cares dropped off fresh food and produce to help them feed volunteers and local families.

"Our motto is, ‘My walls may be down, but our doors are always open,’" said Lynn Staton with Bat Cave Disaster Relief.

From there, Jones and her team headed toward Chimney Rock, where they’re greeted by volunteers with Spokes of Hope, another group providing meals for local families and workers helping to rebuild.

"Glad to be able to help, getting fresh food to everybody so they can have a home-cooked meal," Jones told a group working to rebuild a business.

One worker jokes back, "Only problem is, I’m gaining weight!"

For Jones and her team, every day brings new obstacles but also new signs that they’re making a difference and moments of hope.

"I have seen so many miracles happen in this situation," Jones said. "There is food going out. I don't understand how it's not running out. We just keep sending it and sending it."

How to help

For those looking to donate or volunteer, visit America Cares’ website to learn more about its relief efforts. Jones said they could always use donations and help with hauling supplies.