North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition
Participating in the Training
Natural Disasters and Emergencies are Relentless
Love's Reflections: A life-changing experience.
Supporting families in Western North Carolina has been a life-changing experience. Coming here to help test and train the SAFE program, I didn’t expect to learn much—after all, I helped develop the curriculum. But being on the ground, surrounded by incredible people, I discovered just how much I had to gain. Each person brought unique expertise and fresh perspectives, challenging me to rethink how we address problems and systems during times of trauma.
This experience added a profound layer to my understanding of what it means to support families and communities in disasters. It forced me to confront my own trauma, witness the resilience of those facing unimaginable challenges, and recognize the urgent need to restructure systems to better serve those in crisis.
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Emotionally, this work was hard. Witnessing devastation firsthand—families displaced, homes destroyed—was overwhelming. One encounter that stays with me was with a local doula, a woman who looked just like me. She told me how the storm hit on her wedding day, how lucky she felt to be alive despite losing her home. Her words broke my heart and deepened my resolve. This is her community, and she faces years of recovery ahead. Imagining roads that won’t be cleared for two years and temporary bridges spanning rivers still swollen with debris—it’s almost unimaginable.​
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The training we developed, though, gave me hope. It’s robust, accessible to people with a wide range of skills. I truly believe it can serve everyone—from a 13-year-old eager to help to someone with a PhD in infant and young child feeding in emergencies. The chance to brainstorm and collaborate with colleagues was invaluable, and the flexibility of the team in adapting to challenges—from weather to housing—was inspiring. Weaverville, with its quirky Forge and Apocalypse Parlor, brought moments of joy amidst the chaos. And coming home to shared housing, cooking meals with colleagues, and bonding over our shared mission was another highlight.
​Organizations like Bounty & Soul welcomed us into their community, sharing fresh fruits and vegetables and reminding us that their work existed long before the storm and would continue long after. Their resilience and commitment mirrored that of so many care facilities still functioning despite overwhelming odds. It was hands-on, collaborative learning at its finest, integrating the expertise of organizations deeply rooted in the community with the urgency of disaster relief.
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This experience has forever changed me. Supporting families during a disaster isn’t just about providing immediate aid; it’s about building relationships, rethinking systems, and fostering resilience that can endure for years to come. If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, I encourage you to join me. Be part of this transformative journey. It’s hard, humbling, and deeply rewarding.
Together, we can make a difference. Thank you for all the support.
Love Anderson
Chair, North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition
Support and Advocacy for Feeding in Emergencies Team
https://www.ncbfc.org/
