KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — In the wake of devastating flooding from Hurricane Helene, some local nonprofits have come together to learn more about how to prepare and provide for those in need. need.

Representatives from various nonprofit organizations check out Bishops’ Storehouse in Knoxville. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has operated the warehouse here since 1984. The warehouse gathers foods that, in many cases, are grown and canned on church farms and prepares to share them with those who need them.

Claudia Mata of Centro Hispano said she was impressed with the physical layout and the warehouse’s approach to providing food while helping those in need get back on their feet.

“I’m surprised to see what they’re doing. How prepared they are. How much they help the community.

“I like that it’s a program that promotes self-sufficiency and isn’t about making them dependent on their services – it’s more about empowering them,” she said.

The Bishops’ Storehouse provides food to Church members and non-members in need after they first meet with local bishops and develop a plan to become self-sufficient. It also provides food to nonprofit organizations in East Tennessee.

Martin Riggins and Chef Faith Cline of The Love Kitchen in Knoxville were beneficiaries of this generosity. Those with a warehouse also anticipate when more food might be needed.

In fact, he transported tons of food before Hurricane Helene slammed into East Tennessee — a move Riggins said many local charities could learn from.

“Seeing that and knowing that they planned five months in advance of the hurricanes, because they happen every year, it makes all the sense in the world. But I didn’t know they were doing that and you would think a lot of organizations should look to the future and say “they’re going to look at this.” You stage these things in areas that won’t be touched, but it’s close enough that you can get it there, it just makes sense.

See more news on WATE.com

Those in attendance say they will apply what they learned from this tour to their organizations as a reference as they continue to help people in our community.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides more than $1 billion in humanitarian assistance to its members and global relief efforts.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming videos, visit WATE 6 On Your Side.