Straight talk about what happened, why, what's going on and how people can help. Discussion about general preparedness follows. Specific ways to help:

• The Funny Farm: A small business that is leading grassroots efforts to get supplies to those that were cut off from everything by the Nolichucky River. Venmo @FunnyFarmTN (3632) put “floods” in the description. Follow @FunnyFarmTN on Instagram and Facebook for updates. Run by Tammy Stanton, one of the speakers that was at The East Tennessee Homestead Alliance Festival

• River of Life / Michael & Deirdre Hefflin: Making meals for those in urgent need; Venmo @riveroflifemiracles CashApp:$riveroflifemiracles Follow River of Life (River of Life Miracles) on Facebook

• Samaritan's Purse - Headquartered in Boone, NC, one of the cities that were hit extremely hard. Currently helping in 5 sites. https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

• Grindstone Ministries: non-profit organization that provides disaster relief and construction services to those affected by devastating storms. They will be helping in Tennessee and North Carolina www.grindstoneministries.com

• Local Churches: Our local churches are playing a HUGE role in recovery efforts. If your local church is collecting monetary or physical donations to send to a sister church in Appalachia, that would be a great option as our supply chains are currently very stressed. Needs (NOT CLOTHES):

  • Living Essentials: non-perishable food, water, tents, flashlights, gas cans, propane tanks (large and small), portable grills (with propane or charcoal), can openers, baby food and formula, diapers

  • Cleaning and Sanitizing: buckets, bleach, gloves,n-95 masks, paper towels, trash bags