What started as posts on a social media account seeking assistance for others has recently spread into a wildfire of hope as low temperatures continue to batter the region.
The Elizabethton/Carter County TN Scanner Feed typically operates as a social media account making the public aware of different incidents and road closures throughout the area, but as the cooler weather started to hit the region, individuals manning the account decided to take a step forward to help the homeless population in the area.
“I went with it as soon as I seen the first post of someone asking about open shelters,” one administrator with the account said in a statement. “I was watching the weather the other evening and seen how low the temperatures were going to be and looked on the (EMA) page hoping to share some information to our page, seen nothing … the next day nothing except the daily weather. I knew then something had to happen. I reached out to the other administrator on the page and everyone was in agreement to help those in need. We want to help and we have the platform to do so. To see these folks cold, hungry in desperate need and nobody or no place to help them is really sad. We will be here to put the need out for anyone who needs help.”
The administrator said the ability to see the public come out and support those in need has been “amazing,” citing that they did not see a response from public officials with citizens sending in emails that were reportedly sent to leaders without a response.
“Seeing the community pull together to help every situation we have posted about just really makes us proud to be citizens in Carter County,” the administrator said. “This wasn’t done for any malicious intent toward anyone, including officials. We knew we had the platform to reach people, and we decided to do what we could to help.”
Over 14,000 individuals follow the social media account, and once the news of different instances of citizens in need came through the page, the public resorted back to the state’s “Volunteer” attitude.
While several residents have gone about ways to help others, Elizabethton Escape, East Side Auto and the Watauga Fire Department served as drop off points for the different residents that were highlighted in posts.
“The Watauga Fire Department actually went to the home of the young couple with the one-year-old and delivered loads of supplies to them including food they bought from a local diner and kerosene purchased out of their pockets,” the administrator explained.
Elizabethton does not have a strictly “homeless shelter” for individuals to stay in. The only shelter available is a temporary shelter provide by Shepherd’s Inn, which is a domestic abuse shelter that houses women and children.
Two churches — Hopwood Christian Church and New Hope Ministries — were reportedly able to open their doors to assist the homeless on social media.
One individual, who spoke under anonymity due to not wanting attention for their church, talked about an instance of a couple that attend the Elizabethton facility who were down on their luck.
“They were having a hard time. They’ve applied for housing but there hasn’t been an opening for handicapped accessibility, only second floor apartments,” the church member said.
While representatives from the church raised money to help put the couple up in a hotel room for a few days, seeing the response on the Scanner Feed account, will look to “hopefully” kick start a conversation about how to respond to situations like these where the less fortunate are going without needs.
“It would be nice to see something available for those going through hard times locally,” he said.
Local resident Scott Bowers recalled talks that went before the County Commission roughly three years ago, and that talks haven’t amounted to much since then.
Bowers added that the posts online led him to want to help with the Scanner Feed’s account plea for those less fortunate.
“The account needs to be commended for their efforts on raising awareness for this issue,” Bowers said.
Bowers spoke about a couple that he was able to donate items to this week. Without a place to stay, items were donated. Bowers indicated he visited the campsite they were staying at, which was in “great” condition, but stated the couple reportedly told him they were ran off by officials, who are looking to round up others without a home staying in the woods by Sunday.
“I know one of the churches that opened their doors heard from around 12 families,” Bowers said. “You hear all these stories. There is an issue out there.”
It is a long-standing issue, according to resident Tabitha Bradshaw. Bradshaw submitted an email to the Elizabethton Star noting the issue, asking with the multiple churches and local officials did not have a plan in place to help others.
Elizabethton Police Major Jerry Bradley stated the department is doing what they can during the cold weather to help those in need locally.
“If someone sees an individual who they may think is homeless, call 911 and we can have an officer available to speak with the person,” Bradley said. “We will do what we can to make sure we direct them to the proper resources in Elizabethton or Johnson City.”
Bradley also commended the efforts of residents for looking out for their fellow man during this time of the year.
The major added that individuals looking to get involved to help or need resources can contact Red Legacy Recovery, which has worked to help address the homeless issue locally. Individuals can call (423) 213-9290 or visit their Facebook page for more information.  Resident can also view the Scanner Feed page for other details about instances that have taken place.