SCBaptist Disaster Relief (SCBDR) volunteers began serving their neighbors the day the hurricane swept through our state. Needs were met in many ways:

Spiritual/Emotional Care: In addition to the physical assistance of meals, showers, or tree removal, every DR team provides spiritual and emotional care to the residents they serve. As a result of DR team members and chaplains sharing the gospel, there have been 21 salvations in South Carolina, along with countless conversations and prayers with residents.

Mass Feeding: SCBDR quickly established four mass feeding sites in areas with major power outages: Aiken, Ninety Six, Gaffney, and Spartanburg. When the feeding needs were met in SC, the Spartanburg site continued to cook, transporting meals to Chimney Rock, NC with the help of Spartanburg-area churches. Working in partnership with the Red Cross, SCBDR provided over 43,400 meals.

Shower/Laundry: Eighteen shower and laundry units were deployed in the aftermath of the hurricane. Many units were set up in their own church’s parking lot to serve those without electricity in the community. As power came back on, those units were moved to other areas that were still without power, or to command posts hosting chainsaw units. Over 2,700 showers and 1,240 laundry loads have been provided in SC. After some of our shower units were no longer needed in our own state, four were taken to serve in NC, at Chimney Rock, Boone, Gerton and Banner Elk.

Chainsaw: SCBDR had ten recovery sites in the Hurricane Helene response, in Barnwell, Aiken, Anderson, Ninety Six, Easley, Gaffney, Spartanburg, Edgefield, Saluda, and Columbia. Additionally, local teams in several areas have been meeting needs in their own communities without the help of an established site – North Augusta, Laurens, Prosperity/Newberry, Union, Belton/Honea Path, Seneca, and Dillon. Approximately 1,300 families have been assisted by chainsaw units.

All recovery sites have closed except Spartanburg, which will close on November 16. However, many chainsaw units are still working in their home areas several days a week as requests for assistance continue to trickle in.

Assisting States: SCBDR is very thankful for the other states who have helped in our recovery efforts by managing sites and/or sending chainsaw teams. These state conventions provided DR assistance: Alabama, Pennsylvania/South Jersey, Maryland/Delaware, New England, and Alaska. A few groups from Tennessee, Georgia and Texas churches with connections to South Carolina also assisted.

SCBaptist Disaster Relief is grateful for the churches and individuals across South Carolina who have supported the DR ministry by praying, giving, and pitching in to serve wherever possible in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Please continue to pray that we will finish strong for God’s glory!