Flooding, tornados, and even remnants of a hurricane have caused devastation and death in Kentucky and the southeastern portion of the United States
in recent months. Natural disasters may indiscriminately hit a location, but the poor and homeless face lingering, particular challenges long after storm
subsides.
Rev. Dr. Marcia Mount Shoop is a pastor at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Ashville, North Carolina and a Centre College graduate.
After Hurricane Helene ravaged western North Carolina last fall, she mobilized her congregation and the larger community to help victims address one of the most significant, long-term problems the storm caused for those living on the margins – help paying rent. In less than four months after Helene
struck, Grace Covenant has doled out $3.5 million in rent assistance and about $500,000 in electricity payments, serving hundreds of residents.