A meal, a smile and a prayer: volunteers venture into the heart of flood-affected areas

A meal, a smile and a prayer: volunteers venture into the heart of flood-affected area
The Mountaineer, Waynesville, NC; by Brionna Dallara; 10/23/24 
Luke Ross and Louisa Koehring peer out their car window as they snaked down Old Clyde Road, muddy piles of flood debris strewn along the shoulders. With a trunk full of hot meals, they scan for flood-stricken homes, looking for people in their yards or signs of anyone home. Their arrival at homes has been a sure sign of hope. Relief sweeps across the flood victims' faces as Luke and Louisa approach their doorsteps with hot meals or a new pack of under garments. The first stop along their route this day is Ronnie Hall, who was stranded for eight days post-Helene, alone with nothing but his two cats — Famous Amos and Snowflake — to keep him company. Not only do the young couple feed him, but offer him friendship. ... Without power and alone for eight days following the flood, with no one but hospice to check on him, Hall said he persevered with the help of his faith.
Editor's note: Bravo to the hospice who found a way "to check on him" in the midst of no power and isolation.