NEW YORK, N.Y. (KTHV) -- It's a beautiful day the Natural State, but some Arkansans are seeing snow while they volunteer in New York. First, a hurricane and flooding hit the state, and now a nor'easter and snow is coming through.
A group from Second Baptist Church in Jacksonville and Geyer Springs Baptist Church is offering a little southern comfort to our friends up north.
After seeing the damage from Sandy, the Arkansas Baptist convention bussed up more than 20 Arkansans to cook for the victims. With the help of more volunteers, they've prepared more than 30,000 meals so far.
Jeff Elmore is currently in Farmingdale, New York and spoke with THV 11 through skype. He is one of 26 Arkansans from the state's Baptist Convention.
"A lot of the houses are without power and word is they won't be getting any until at least Thanksgiving," says Jeff Elmore. "We feel led. It's a calling for us to come and give our time and our resources."
Without power it's difficult to have a hot meal, so that's where Disaster Relief Unit 1, comes in.
"We are cooking the meals and the Red Cross is taking the food in their emergency response vehicles out to the victims," Elmore explained. "They will go out to disaster sites or whatever type it is and they will feed there on site."
The volunteers are staying at a church about 10 miles from the coast, where Sandy caused the most damage.
"People have no heat and no power. We've seen some damage to homes and buildings, but nothing like what it really is if we went further south," he continued. "The residents are so appreciative and grateful. Everywhere we go, they recognize us because of our yellow shirts, and they come up and thank us for coming," says Elmore.
This is the first of many groups from the Arkansas Baptist Convention. They plan to send up new volunteers each week until Dec. 8.