Serve & Connect and Walmart team up to deliver 4,000 emergency kits to North Carolina

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — As recovery efforts from the devastation of Hurricane Helene continue in North Carolina, folks here in the Midlands are doing what they can to help.

Members of Serve & Connect and Walmart came together with numerous law enforcement agencies and community members from around South Carolina — all in an effort to give back to those hit hardest in the Tar Heel state.

Volunteers packed 3,000 boxes of non-perishable food items over the course of several hours.

“It is just unbelievable how people rallied from all across the state. I mean we had not only officers and volunteers come out in droves here in the Midlands, but also travel as far as Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Rock Hill, Union County, but also just citizens who wanted to step up and help,” says Kassy Alia Ray, the founder of Serve & Connect.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone who showed up today, as well as everyone who is giving back to our communities during this time of need. You know there is so much pain right now, but all of the helpers are the reason why we keep going, it’s because you remind us of all that is good and wonderful in the world and your kindness is making a tremendous impact to heal our communities — thank you,” she says.

1,000 additional boxes were filled with hygiene items like soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.

“When you think about what difference that can make just to feel a little bit cleaner and a little bit more like yourself and so we’re incredibly thankful to Walmart for making those boxes possible,” she says.

“There are no words — what it feels like to see this community come together in the way they have today. You know, people are crying happy tears just seeing the goodness of the community in a horrible and tragic time, and so many are suffering and we are just so grateful and honored to be a part of this,” says Amy Osborn, the Senior Manager for Walmart’s Community Relations.

Alia Ray says most of the boxes will go to people in the upstate and western parts of North Carolina, and will make their journey their immediately.

“You know there is so much pain right now, but all of the helpers are the reason why we keep going, it’s because you remind us of all that is good and wonderful in the world and your kindness is making a tremendous impact to heal our communities — thank you,” says Alia Ray.