Recovery efforts from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene

August 2025

As I scan the local newspaper and Ashe County Facebook pages, I see more and more gatherings scheduled for late September. They all have a common theme connected to Hurricane Helene. No longer attached to those words are feelings of fear, loss, and defeat but of resilience, victory and hope for a better future. I can say without hesitation that’s the vibe at Ashe Outreach Ministries.

We are whole again, not only facility-wise, but more importantly our attitude and our outlook towards the future. Our three programs of mobile meals, food pantry and Blue Ridge Elementary School food backpacks are hitting on all cylinders and serving our neighbors as they are intended to do. The fish fry is more popular than ever with recent meals served per fry averaging in the upper 300’s. Not content to sit on our laurels, we are seeking to make improvements across the board as we serve our local community. 

Helene did little to discourage our volunteers from their unwavering support. And we have added quite a few new volunteers thanks in part to their desire to help the community following the hurricane. Yes, we are concerned with impending cuts to state and federal budgets that will at some point provide a drop in resources to food banks and their partners like AOM as well as direct support to our neighbors most in need, but we are committed to keeping our head held high and will face these challenges head-on as we have with Hurricane Helene.

All that being said, we continue to covet your prayers and your continued support of our ministry of “Giving Food and Feeding Hope” as we go forward in what could be some rocky times

November 5, 2024

Greetings to friends and supporters of Ashe Outreach Ministries!

Please accept our sincere thanks for partnering with Ashe Outreach Ministries (AOM) during this difficult time for everyone in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Due to the heavy and continuous rain associated with Hurricane Helene, the North Fork of the New River crested 18.27 feet above major flood stage, which was higher than the 18-foot crest during the Great Flood of 1916. The old Riverview School that opened in 1953 and in which AOM resides, was built in the flood plain beside the river and was completely flooded to a depth of almost 5 feet in places. Almost everything in the building was covered in mud and much of its contents was destroyed by the muddy water or the subsequent mold that formed.

The good news is that our local community and our supporters near and far have come alongside AOM and we are slowly, but surely coming back to full capability to serve the western side of Ashe County by giving food and feeding hope. You and others like you have provided the much needed funds that have allowed us to replace equipment and food supplies needed to feed our neighbors with food, fellowship and love. This has meant so much to these neighbors, many of whom have been isolated and without power and telephone service. All three of our major programs (mobile meals, food pantry and school backpacks) are up and running again! We still have a bit of work to do to host our twice per month fish fry, but we anticipate that will happen in time for a December 6th Fry.

Thanks again not just your financial support, but the love and prayers that so many of you have and are sending our way. God bless each one of you just as He has blessed us in the midst of the storm.

In God’s Love,

Dave Ahrens, Executive Director, Ashe Outreach Ministries

October 1, 2024

Western Ashe County, NC, was directly in the path of Helene. She brought down trees, caused landslides, took out our power, cable, and phone services, destroyed roads, and stirred up the North Fork of the New River, causing it to overflow its banks and rage with a force not seen in more than 100 years.

So, you might ask, how did and does that impact Ashe Outreach Ministries? During the dark of night, the winds picked up, and the water rose from the banks of the New River, flooding our parking lot, washing away our propane and grease tanks, tearing off our entrance porch, and lifting parts of our roof. Then, the water broke into our building, bringing mud and debris with such force that it turned over commercial refrigerators and pushed equipment and food around like a pinball machine. In most of our space, the water reached knee level, but our office at the far end of the building was filled with four feet of river water, submerging our filing cabinets and other office equipment.

The water damage, along with the loss of power, has resulted in significant food spoilage, equipment loss, and has halted our ability to support our community through our various food ministries—at a time when these services are needed more than ever before. On a positive note, we were able to move some still-frozen food into our new-to-us refrigerator box truck, named Hope. We hope to keep it cold using a diesel fuel supply until the power lines are rebuilt and our walk-in freezer is operational again.

Currently, with the help of teams of volunteers, we are working to clear out mud, remove spoiled food and other damaged items, and prepare for a second wave of cleaning once the power has been restored and we have running water again.

October 2, 2024

Power was restored to our building early this morning! Very soon we will be able to assess what equipment still works and if we can get the water running.

If you have read up to this point you might be thinking, how can I be of help? The most important thing we need is your continued prayers for both our ministry and our community as we slowly recover from this life-changing event. Additionally, if you feel it in your heart and are able please consider donating to our 501(c)3 nonprofit ministry by clicking on this link:

Thank you, and may God bless each of you.