Plus, show some love to the local restaurants that have been able to reopen.
 
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Post-Helene help for food + beverage workers

Post-Helene resources for Asheville food and beverage workers
A bartender shakes a cocktail behind the bar at Jettie Rae's Oyster House
The folks behind the bars, at the tables, and in the kitchens of Asheville keep the city’s food + bev scene vibrant. | Photo by Kara Dahlberg, via Jettie Rae’s Oyster House
There’s a reason the Asheville area is home to a thriving, award-winning food scene — it’s the talented and dedicated staff at the helm of each restaurant, coffee shop, and bar. But in the wake of Hurricane Helene, many of these individuals have lost their livelihoods. Without water, power, and functional spaces, numerous establishments have been forced to close for the time being.

Whether or not those closures can be temporary, Asheville food and beverage workers need help now. So here are a few resources offering support for the industry.

Assistance + funds for workers

Disaster Unemployment Assistance
More than 25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have been approved for DUA from the NC Department of Commerce. The deadline to apply is Monday, Dec. 2.

Eblen Charities Assistance Programs
The nonprofit offers programs to help with everything from rent and utilities to food and medical needs.

FEMA Disaster Assistance
For help from FEMA, you can apply online, submit an application through the FEMA app, or call 1-800-621-3362. You can also visit the disaster recovery center at AC Reynolds High School.

Giving Kitchen Financial Assistance
The nonprofit will help any food service workers in crisis. Typically, financial assistance covers the cost of rent and utilities — and you can apply up to six months after the disaster.

NC Hospitality Worker Relief Fund
The fund is managed by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Foundation, and right now, 100% of funds are dedicated to those impacted by Helene.

Southern Smoke Foundation Emergency Relief Fund
This funding can cover anything from groceries and clothing to rent, natural disaster damages, and lost wages. Requests do not have a deadline, but applicants have to have worked in the industry at least 30 hours per week for a minimum of six months.

United Sommeliers Foundation
These grants are specifically dedicated to folks in the beverage industry. The deadline for applications related to Hurricane Helene is Friday, Nov. 15.
Resources + info for owners
 
Community
 

Updates + need-to-know information
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T&K Utilities connected the line in the early morning hours of Oct. 10. | Photo via Buncombe County
The following article is being updated on our website daily. Click the button at the bottom of this section to read the full story.

Thursday, Oct. 10 updates

A milestone in water restoration

At 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, contractors reconnected North Fork’s 36-in bypass waterline, meaning the North Fork water treatment plant is now reconnected to the water distribution system. “This is a significant milestone in our ability to begin the process of restoring water,” Assistant City Manager Ben Woody said, adding that there is still lots of work to be done to get the turbid, murky water from the reservoir into the distribution system.

First community care station open in Swannanoa

The first community care station, created in partnership with the New York Fire Department and FEMA, has opened in the parking lot of the Swannanoa Ingles (2319 US Hwy. 70).

From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., people can shower, do laundry, use bathrooms, access cell service, get water + hot meals, and find access to counseling from All Souls Counseling. If you have items like shower shoes, towels, and toiletries, you’re encouraged to bring them — but if you don’t, they will be provided.
 
 
News Notes
Announced
  • As the Asheville Police Department completes its Helene Missing Persons form, it will return to standard procedures for reporting missing persons and requesting welfare checks. To do so, call the nonemergency line at 828-252-1110 — in an urgent situation, call 911.
Community
  • Information on public toilets + porta potties, laundry facilities, showers, and handwashing stations are now available all in one map, thanks to toiletsofavl.com. You can also add locations to this crowdsourced map.
Civic
  • Today, Oct. 11, is the deadline to register to vote in NC for the 2024 General Election. But if you miss the deadline, same-day registration is offered during the early voting period.
Number
  • $273 million. That’s how much recovery funding NC lawmakers approved to support counties impacted by Helene. A second meeting will be held this month to pass additional funding. (NC Newsline)
Cause
  • Eblen Charities is now open Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., providing folks with gas cards, winter clothing, menstrual supplies, and support with housing assistance at 23 Hamilton St. To help them continue to serve our neighbors with these resources, you can donate to the nonprofit’s Hurricane Helene Recovery Fund.
Community
  • Candler-based animal rehabilitation nonprofit Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is partnering with the Upper Hominy Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department to distribute supplies tomorrow, Oct. 12 at the fire station at 1795 Pisgah Hwy. in Candler. If you or someone you know in the area can’t make it to the site, email for a drop-off.
Pets
  • The ASPCA has created the Animal Assistance Hotline to help area pet owners find free pet food + supplies, as well as report animal search and rescue needs — you can access it by calling 888-808-0810 or using the online form. Plus, use this map to search for pet supplies near you.
Biz
  • Reminder: The Business Recovery Center is open in the Visitor Center at 36 Montford Ave., with resources to help get local businesses back on track. There you’ll find Wi-Fi, portable toilets, and places to sit and work.
Listen
  • Musicians like The War on Drugs, Angel Olsen, and The Avett Brothers have contributed unreleased songs to “Cardinals at the Window,” a 135-song compilation album benefiting WNC. Proceeds are split between the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Rural Organizing and Resilience (ROAR), and BeLoved Asheville.
Finance
  • During times like these, balance transfers can really make a difference. Here’s how they work (hint: 18 months with 0% interest, plus 2% cash back) and why experts recommend this specific card.*
 
Food

Local restaurants open after Helene
AVLtoday_rocky's_hot_chicken_shack_asheville
Many South Asheville and Arden spots, like White Duck, have been able to open for business. | Photo by @greeneyesnwine_
As water and power return to pockets of the community, some local restaurants and bars have been able to start business up again.

Note: Many are operating with limited menus, and some are cash only.

Serving food

Even if you don’t see your favorite spot on the list, you may still be able to offer support during this difficult time. Many local establishments have set up fundraising campaigns in the aftermath of Helene, raising money for repairs or employees’ livelihoods.
12+ more open spots
 
The Wrap
 
Meet the editors behind AVL today, Grace and Molly

Today’s edition by:
Grace + Molly
From the editors
If you need a sweet treat to brighten your spirits (don’t we all), Sunshine Sammies is giving out free ice cream this Sunday, Oct. 15 from noon to 5 p.m. To help out its employees, you can donate to its GoFundMe. Psst... we’re working on a comprehensive list of local business fundraisers, coming out next week. There’s still time to email us at hello@avltoday.com with info on your fundraising or donation campaign. Just put “Fundraising Campaign” in the subject line.
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