ASHEVILLE – First Lady Jill Biden stopped in Asheville on Oct. 25 to survey local relief efforts following the record flooding and destruction of Tropical Storm Helene in Western North Carolina.
Her visit comes on the heels of former President Donald Trump’s appearance in Swannanoa days before, in addition to Asheville stops in recent days from U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Gov. Roy Cooper, and an aerial tour of the region by President Joe Biden.
Biden’s jet landed at about 11:30 a.m. Friday at Asheville Regional Airport. She made no remarks at the airport before heading downtown.
More: World Central Kitchen, Hearts with Hands distributes food, water in Asheville area
Jill Biden meets volunteers at World Central Kitchen in Asheville
Biden at the start of the noon hour was visiting World Central Kitchen’s operations on Coxe Avenue in Asheville, accompanied by Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and others. The field kitchen smelled of pork loin and beans, odors evident as soon as you walk in.
World Central Kitchen was founded by Chef José Andrés, who had viewed the devastation from the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. In the years since, World Central Kitchen has provided food and relief to persons whose communities have been ravaged by storms or natural disasters.
Fiona Donovan, operations manager for World Central Kitchen, described to the first lady what the organization has done since the tropical storm left damage, debris and displacement in its wake.
“Thanks for what you’re doing,” Biden responded. “What you did, it’s incredible.”
She donned a World Central Kitchen apron and gloves, and was given a paddle to stir beans cooling in a large pot several feet in diameter.
Later, Biden wrapped up dishes of beans on a line with other volunteers. She asked some of them about how their families and homes fared during and after Helene.
Biden then visited World Central Kitchen’s food distribution location around the corner at Ben’s Tune Up, on Hilliard Avenue.
There, she joined Cooper, Manheimer, and others in packaging World Central Kitchen meals, and passed them out to a line of people stretching down the block. Some people took selfies with the first lady as she handed out bags of food.
“We need to understand that there’s hundreds, if not thousands, of volunteers and community people all across not only North Carolina, but across the states, helping,” Andrés said to reporters on Hilliard Avenue, while Biden and Cooper gave out meals.
“They are showing up and shaking hands and giving thanks to the many volunteers that are part of the response. I think this is always good to do,” he said.
Andrés has previously voiced his support for Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election, referring to her climate stance and saying she will put “all of us, the entire planet, first.”
“I’ve seen firsthand how natural disasters and powerful hurricanes have affected Americans, destroying their homes and lives,” he said in a recent video posted to Instagram. “Trump says climate change is a hoax. Believe me, I’ve seen the impact. It’s no hoax.”
First lady praises support for Veterans Restoration Quarters from Team Rubicon
Following her stops at two World Central Kitchen locations, the first lady stopped by Veterans Restoration Quarters, 1329 Tunnel Road. Veterans Restoration Quarters is run by the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry and provides housing and services for unhoused veterans.
The location was severely damaged by flooding from Tropical Storm Helene. Behind where the first lady spoke, a stained brick wall showed where floodwaters rose, just about reaching the building’s second floor.
Team Rubicon is an international organization that provides assistance following disasters, and is removing and clearing debris at Veterans Restoration Quarters.
The first lady spoke with Team Rubicon workers at the site, amid a blanket of dust and debris.
“I really appreciate you coming here and helping other veterans,” Biden said, standing before a mural of an American flag and painting the volunteers’ efforts as a work of patriotism.
After meeting with community members, the First Lady traveled east to Fayetteville and Cary, where attended campaign events, the White House said.
North Carolina is one of seven battleground states, and polling shows a tight presidential race.
Connor Giffin is an environmental journalist with the USA TODAY Network, reporting for The Citizen Times in the wake of Helene. Reach him directly at [email protected] or on X @byconnorgiffin.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Tropical Storm Helene: What did Jill Biden do in Asheville
