CHARLOTTE — From supplies to new voting options, officials are trying to help western North Carolina residents have some sense of normalcy as the election approaches.
Former President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, was in Charlotte on Tuesday to help with Hurricane Helene relief efforts.
“We’re grateful to be able to donate not only to the Charlotte area and the community that they serve, but also to deliver food here and to help out with the disaster relief in the western part of the state,” Trump said.
Trump, Sage Steele, and other members of the Women for Trump group loaded up the Hearts and Hands pantry in Charlotte with donations for western North Carolina. They hope the items will help people as they recover from Helene.
[ RELATED: Harris pledges ongoing federal support as she visits NC to survey Helene’s aftermath ]
While voting may not be top of mind, Trump is encouraging people in western North Carolina to develop plans to cast their ballots.
“While they’ve lost so much in their lives, we also don’t want them to lose their ability to vote, because it is so important that every voter gets out and uses their opportunity as an American citizen to cast their one vote,” she said.
Election officials are encouraging people who live in disaster-impacted counties to check their voting locations before heading to the polls. Several counties have added or changed sites, and some have added Sunday voting.
“An enormous amount of credit goes to our emergency management and FEMA partners, the power companies and, of course, the county boards of elections in the western part of the state to have almost all early voting sites open after such a devastating storm in a visit in an effort,” said Karen Brinson Bell, the director of the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Catawba County is one of 25 counties that has more flexibility in voting locations and times because of the storm. Voter Annie Sifford is thankful for the changes and for people taking the time to cast their ballots.
“We need their votes so desperately because the times are so tight,” she said.
As for the food pantry, they sent a truck load of supplies to Montreat and plan to send another in the coming weeks. They also help families in Mecklenburg County.
Former President Donald Trump will visit Charlotte next Tuesday for what he’s calling an 11th-hour Faith Leaders Meeting. He’ll be joined by Dr. Ben Carson and his son, Eric Trump.
(WATCH BELOW: ‘Chimney Rock will be back’: Rebuilding begins after Helene’s devastation)
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