ROCK HILL, S.C. — As many in the community work to send aid to those in the mountains still reeling from Helene, a Rock Hill group is working to support those bringing that life-saving aid and the heroes on the front lines of recovery.
Amanda Riggan, founder of Hungry Heroes, said the decision to jump in and serve in Western North Carolina came from a place of overwhelm upon seeing all the images of the storm’s destruction, and a subsequent desire to turn that feeling into solutions.
“I’ve never in my life seen anything like that,” Riggan said, of the damage she witnessed in the High Country. “I’ve done a lot of mission work. I’ve gone overseas, and this one hurt.”
Riggan said her team is now working to transform hurt into healing, by doing what they do best: warming bellies with hot meals and warming spirits with smiles.
“We’ve done hot dogs, hamburgers, fried bologna sandwiches,” Riggan said. “Now, a cold front is coming in so we’re doing chilis and soups.”
Born in the wake of the 2018 ambush on law enforcement that took the life of York County detective Mike Doty, Hungry Heroes has grown from a way to support military and first responders in that specific moment to supporting the community at large, whenever the need arises. Right now, she said she sees a soaring need in Helene-ravaged North Carolina.
“At this point, I’m never going to turn away someone in need who’s hungry, and my mission was always to give back to those in need,” Riggan said. “There’s definitely a need right now.”
As long as donations come in from the community and the need remains, Riggan said her team will keep serving.
“I never know who’s going to come through the line,” Riggan said. "We’ve had residents, linemen, dispatchers, civilians, homeless people… just to see that, hey, we care, and here’s a hot meal. I hope it changes their lives as well.”
She also hopes to spread the word that there are no small gestures and there’s no lack of compassion for neighbors in need.
“People think my one loaf of bread or my socks probably aren’t helping. It absolutely is,” Riggan said. “It is all they have. However, you can give back--that’s all they have. It’s devastating.”
