As economic + health impacts continue to compound in our community and beyond, we’ve heard from many readers wanting to know how they can help folks in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. So today, we’ve compiled a list of local organizations – as well as national groups with local chapters – who are looking for help from volunteers, donations, or both.
ABCCM
Addresses hunger, homelessness, and access to healthcare for the underserved through their Crisis Ministry, Veterans Restoration Quarters, medical + jail ministries, and more. They also run Transformation Village for families, women + children.
Asheville Humane Society
The Humane Society is currently closed to the public, but you can help provide resources for animals + pet owners, including food, medications + more by donating to their emergency fund and purchasing items from their wishlist.
#AshevilleStrong
A locally-grown movement built in response to COVID-19 that connects people with businesses so they can buy gift cards for future use. The list is updated daily with food + bev, retailers, professional services, experiences, artists + more.
BeLoved Asheville
BeLoved is continuing its efforts to bring housing, medical resources + food security to people in the Asheville area, and most recently they opened Street Pantries around town that include non-perishable foods, supplies, pet food and water stations + more.
Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC)
Their emergency and disaster relief fund supports nonprofits that assist individuals + families affected directly by COVID-19. So far, they have distributed over $700,000.
Grassroots Aid Partnership
Serving free, plant-based meals (plus a free bar of soap) in West Asheville every weekend, and open 4-7 p.m. Fri.-Sun. at 1022 Haywood Rd.
Haywood Street Ministry
The ministry is currently serving 400 meals three days a week, as well as 50 meals several times a week to people sheltering at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville. They’re seeking monetary donations, as well as donations of gloves, masks, bandanas + more.
Homeward Bound
Devoted to helping end homelessness in Asheville + Buncombe County through their AHOPE Day Center, Path Outreach, and Room in the Inn programs. They’re in desperate need of many items, including food, camping gear, snacks + bottled water, soap, toiletries + more at this time for people at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville and other locations.
IamAVL
The creators of the Echo Sessions and organizers of Music Video Asheville have launched a Musician’s Relief Fund to help artists at this time. You can specify an artist for your donation.
MANNA FoodBank
Provides hunger relief through its work with 200+ partner agencies in 16 WNC counties. They especially need low-risk volunteers to help make MANNA Packs and meal boxes for people in need. Demand at their food pantries has jumped by 100% in the last two weeks. DYK: Every dollar donated to MANNA provides four meals.
Masks of Love
An organization devoted to sewing + supplying non-certified/non-PPE face masks in WNC, open to both home + commercial sewers. As of Tuesday afternoon, they had made 1,740 masks for frontline medical personnel. Masks are dropped off and picked up at Flora Asheville twice a week.
One Buncombe
A centralized COVID-19 donation + relief center working to help locals during the pandemic. Lead partners include the City of Asheville, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Buncombe County + Mountain BizWorks.
Pandemic of Love
The grassroots-grown national org discreetly pairs people able to help with those needing financial or other help in their mutual aid microcommunity.
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County
The long-running org is providing resources for the community, including a list of volunteer opportunities, as well as updated lists of food pantries, shelters + services during the pandemic. People can also dial 2-1-1 24/7 to be directed to real-time health and human service resources closest to them.
Western Carolina Rescue Mission
Focused on rescue, recovery, and restoration with special efforts in poverty alleviation, drug + alcohol programs, programs for survivors of domestic abuse, alleviating homelessness + more.
YMCA of Western North Carolina
The YMCA pivoted to meet community needs during this critical time, including offering childcare for essential workers, food disbursement through mobile markets and delivery, resources for home education, virtual workouts + more.
YWCA
The YWCA has transitioned to a community resource with offerings like emergency childcare for first responders, healthcare workers + essential personnel, and community markets in partnership with MANNA FoodBank. They also offer at-home workouts.
And, here are a few other of our local organizations helping out specifically with homelessness.
Did we leave one off the list? We’d love for you to add it to the comments below. This is an ongoing conversation, and we’re grateful for your additions + updates.