Where to Get Free Food & Supplies

MANNA FoodBank. The Food Finder Tool at mannafoodbank.org/where-to-get-help, provides a map of MANNA FoodBank’s more than 220 nonprofit pantries, meal sites, and other community-based organizations offering free food across 16 western North Carolina counties, including the Qualla Boundary. For further assistance, call or text the Food Helpline between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday at (828) 290-9749.

Bounty & Soul. Multiple markets, offering free produce and other whole foods, operate throughout the weekend in Asheville, Black Mountain, Fairview, and Swannanoa. View the locations and schedule at bountyandsoul.org/community/market-schedule.

YMCA of Western North Carolina. The free mobile food markets travel across the region, including to parks, libraries, health system offices and neighborhood hubs across Asheville, Candler, Clyde, Hendersonville, Leicester, Marshall, Marion, Mills River, and Old Fort. View the schedule and locations at ymcawnc.org/programs/community/food-programs.

The YMCA is also offering financial assistance for memberships and programs for those affected by the shutdown. Call (828) 251-5910 or email [email protected] for details.

Asheville Poverty Initiative/12 Baskets Café. The café opens at 10 a.m. for free coffee and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for free lunch service and store on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 610 Haywood Road in West Asheville. For more information, visit ashevillepovertyinitiative.org/12baskets.

Haywood Street Congregation/Downtown Welcome Table. Free lunch is served from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays at 297 Haywood St. in Asheville. Meals are served family-style, with seating every half hour by checking into the reservation booth. For group seating, email [email protected] or call (828) 575-2477, ext. 301. For more information, visit haywoodstreet.org/downtown-welcome-table.

Southside Community Farm. The Southside Free Grocery Program serves the Southside neighborhood, a food desert, by providing an outdoor pantry and refrigerator stocked with produce grown at the urban farm.

Locations include:

• The Edington Center, 133 Livingston St.
• Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St.
• The South French Broad Free Fridge and pantry, 382 South French Broad Ave.

For more locations and details, visit southsidecommunitygarden.org.

Food Connection. Fresh free meals are distributed from Food Connection “Beyond the Bus Line” distribution sites, including in Candler, Fairview, Leicester, Swannanoa, and Weaverville. For the schedule and locations, visit food-connection.org.

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM). The Crisis Ministries offers food, clothing, utility and rental assistance, as well as a hot meal at its soup kitchen at 1543 Patton Ave.

Crisis Ministry locations:

• 24 Cumberland Ave. in downtown Asheville
• 10 Buck Shoals Road in Arden
• 1914 Smokey Park Highway in Candler
• 403 Weaverville Highway in North Asheville

For more details, visit abccm.org.

Community Engagement Markets. These markets offer food and other resources at no cost for community members. Markets are located throughout Buncombe County. Asheville Christian School in Swannanoa, Enka Middle School, Aston Park Apartments on South French Broad Avenue, Maple Crest Apartments, and the Fairview Public Library are just a few of the locations providing support. For a full list visit www.buncombenc.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=26.

Diapers! Babies Need Bottoms Initiative

The Buncombe County Register of Deeds office, located at 205 College Street in Asheville, has partnered with local nonprofit Babies Need Bottoms to offer a diaper bank that is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“We do our very best to keep the diaper bank stocked with diapers, wipes, and formula. These services are free of charge and residents are welcome to walk straight back to the diaper bank on the first floor. Our model is pretty simple: take what you need but leave some for others,” said Drew Reisinger, Registrar of Deeds.