Local non-profit organization Support the Port has established headquarters at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2929 Princess Place, to support the community in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.
 
The focus in the coming weeks will be to provide services such as healthcare, childcare, home repair, legal aid and job placement.
 
Support the Port is open this week from noon to 6 p.m., with Catch the food truck serving lunch Friday. The hours for the rest of the month will be 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.
 
“We’ve found a home in the heart of a zone ill-equipped to rebuild on their own,” said founder Cedric Harrison. “The spirit we’re seeing is amazing, a real community effort to bring everyone back on their feet whether they can afford it or not. It feels like we have everyone helping – from my grandmother to lawyers and therapists, businesses like TRU Colors [Brewing Company], churches like Port City Community and Ebenezer. They’re donating everything from money to goods to time as we prepare Wilmingtonians for a brave new future.”
 
Support the Port is also delivering direct services from the Ebenezer Baptist location to a series of distribution hubs throughout New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Columbus counties. The group currently needs help with the following:

• Donations: Medical supplies, cleaning supplies, fresh and canned foods, baby supplies and school supplies. Financial contributions will help support the church as well as the acquisition of a new dumpster, the purchase of food and gas and local businesses in need. 
• Volunteers: 75 to 100 people are needed daily to coordinate and deliver food and supplies across the Cape Fear. 
• Service partnerships: The organization is seeking to partner with additional area organizations and companies to advance their mission. Current partnerships include Smash & Dash food truck, Wilmington Health, The Red Cross, Step Up Wilmington, WARM, NHRMC and the United Way.  

“Support the Port wants to assure that all populations have equal access to whatever funds are dispersed for recovery,” said board member Robert Rosenberg. “We are addressing mobility issues, the need for jobs, counsel, child care and home rebuilding, specifically in high poverty areas. Those looking to get involved can visually see the direct impact your help is making when sharing with Support the Port.”
 
For further information visit Support the Port's website. 
 
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