Kinston Area Recovery Effort (KARE) is hosting a Hurricane Preparedness event on Saturday, July 22, 2023, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, at the Lenoir Community College Gym located at 231 NC HWY 58. There is no charge for admission and a Hispanic interpreter will be available.

KARE is a grassroots long term recovery effort that was initially started following Hurricanes Fran and Floyd in the late 90’s. After that the effort went dormant because Lenoir Co. did not suffer from any other Federally declared disaster for many years.  Following Hurricane Mathew in 2016 and under the guidance of several local groups such as United Way and the Lenoir County Association of Congregations, KARE started over again.

• KARE only assists the residents of Lenoir Co. who don’t have other sources of help, lack homeowners’ insurance or are not eligible for FEMA assistance.

• KARE begins taking applications as soon as possible following the disaster event.

• KARE is made up of two components which are unmet needs and construction. 

• Unmet needs can assist those who are out of work due to the disaster with rental and/or utilities. Later, we can help with furniture as needed.

• The construction component works to repair individual homeowners’ residences by utilizing volunteer help.

• KARE is funded by grants and donations from local organizations and State entities.

• KARE generally only receives funding during or just after a disaster has occurred.

• KARE is not a government entity.

• KARE is not able to assist everyone who seeks our help.

• Our goal is to remain minimally active to be ready in the event of another local disaster.