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    • What Jill Biden did in Asheville
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    What Jill Biden did in Asheville

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    ASHEVILLE – First Lady Jill Biden stopped in Asheville on Oct. 25 to oversee local relief efforts after the record flooding and destruction of Tropical Storm Helene in western North Carolina.

    Her visit comes on the heels of the former president Donald Trump’s appearance at Swannanoa days before, past Asheville stops in the last few days from US Transportation Secretary Pete ButtigiegGov. Roy Cooper and yr aerial tour of the region by President Joe Biden.

    Biden’s plane landed around 11:30 a.m. Friday at Asheville Regional Airport. She made no observations at the airport before heading downtown.

    More: World Central Kitchen, Hearts with Hands distributes food and water in the Asheville area

    Jill Biden meets with volunteers at World Central Kitchen in Asheville

    Biden, earlier in the lunch hour, toured the World Central Kitchen 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 entered.

    World Central Kitchen was founded by chef José Andréswhich saw the devastation of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. In the years since, World Central Kitchen has provided food and relief to people whose communities have been devastated by storms or natural disasters.

    Fiona Donovan, operations manager for World Central Kitchen, described to the first lady what the organization has been doing since the tropical storm left damage, debris and displacement in its wake.

    “Thanks for what you’re doing,” Biden replied. “What you have done is incredible.”

    He donned a World Central Kitchen apron and gloves and was given a paddle to stir the cooling beans in a large pot several feet in diameter.

    Later, Biden wrapped 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 the World Central Kitchen food distribution location around the corner at Ben’s Tune Up on Hilliard Avenue.

    There, she joined Cooper, Manheimer and others in packing food from World Central Kitchen and distributing it to a line of people stretching down the block. Some took selfies with the first lady as she handed out bags of food.

    “We have to understand that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of volunteers and people in the community, not only in North Carolina, but across the states, who are helping,” Andrés told reporters on Hilliard Avenue as Biden and Cooper served the meals.

    “They show up and shake hands and thank the many volunteers who are part of the response. I think that’s always a good thing to do,” he said.

    Andrés previously expressed his support for Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election, referring to her stance on climate change and saying she would put “all of us, the entire planet, first.”

    “We have seen firsthand how natural disasters and powerful hurricanes have affected Americans, destroying their homes and their lives,” he said in a recently posted video on Instagram. “Trump says climate change is a hoax. Trust me, I’ve seen the impact. It’s not a hoax.”

    The first lady praises Team Rubicon’s support for Veterans Restoration Quarters

    After her stops at two World Central Kitchen locations, the first lady stopped at the Veterans Restoration Quarters, 1329 Tunnel Road. Veterans Rehabilitation Quarters is run by Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry and provides housing and services for homeless veterans.

    The location was severely damaged by floods from Tropical Storm Helene. Behind where the first lady was speaking, a stained brick wall showed where the floodwaters were rising, nearly reaching the building’s second floor.

    Team Rubicon is an international organization that provides disaster relief and removes and cleans debris from Veterans Restoration Quarters.

    The first lady spoke to Team Rubicon workers at the scene amid a blanket of dust and debris.

    “I really appreciate you coming out here and helping other veterans,” Biden said, standing in front of 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 she attended campaign events, the White House said.

    North Carolina is one of seven battleground states, and polls show a close presidential race.

    Connor Giffin is an environmental journalist for the USA TODAY Network reporting for The Citizen Times in the aftermath of Helene. Get to it directly at [email protected] or on X @byconnorgiffin.

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