Thanksgiving is all about the food — but this is also the season of giving, and there are plenty of ways to give to those experiencing food insecurity. From mobile markets to food banks, here are a few nonprofits you can support this holiday season if you want to help feed others.
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
Each year, ABCCM’s Crisis Ministry serves more than 20,000 hot meals to local people in need at its food pantries and soup kitchen. Volunteer opportunities and food needs are shared online, or you can donate.
Asheville Poverty Initiative
12 Baskets Cafe hosts weekly offerings of sit-down meals as well as to-go meals and groceries, with help from local business’ and restaurants’ food donations. The Cafe has put out a call for turkey and coffee donations, and you can inquire about getting involved.
BeLoved Asheville
While this organization mainly provides support for those experiencing homelessness, BeLoved Asheville expanded in fall 2022 with a food truck called Mama’s Kitchen to serve hot meals to communities in need. Donate or volunteer to help with one of its many projects.
Bounty & Soul
This Black Mountain organization’s mission is to help share nutritious food, education, and community. Get involved with produce sorting, gardening, and prepping and filming cooking demonstrations. You can also donate online.
Eblen Charities
Through a number of food assistance programs — like Food for Thought, which distributes snacks for kids who aren’t able to bring them to school, and Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving, which fills holiday tables for those in need — Eblen offers help to people of all ages. You can sign up to volunteer or donate online.
Food Connection
Since its launch in 2014, Food Connection has delivered more than half a million meals and kept around 205 tons of food out of landfills. To support Food Connection, you can make a contribution or volunteer in severak roles — plus, restaurants can donate extra prepared food.
Haywood Street
The Downtown Welcome Table, run by the Haywood Street Congregation with contributions from more than 40 local restaurants, works to bring people together and foster community over a comfortable meal. You can volunteer after attending a Companion Orientation, or donate money.
MANNA FoodBank
A member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, MANNA FoodBank celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. To support, you can donate money, a vehicle, or food. You can also volunteer or put together a food drive.
Pro tip: Check out MANNA’s annual Ingles Giving Tree, which launches with a tree lighting event this Monday, Nov. 20, to help raise awareness about food insecurity in NC.
YMCA of Western North Carolina
The YMCA of WNC Mobile Markets are set up as free farmers markets at various locations across five counties offering free produce, demonstrations, nutrition information, and recipes. Volunteer opportunities include food sorting and helping out at the markets — plus, a variety of other food-related programs.
