Many are making sure that local plates are filled for the holiday. | Photo via MANNA FoodBank
The holidays can be challenging for many in our community, and after the storm, even more locals have found themselves in need and facing an empty Thanksgiving table. So whether you’re looking for help or you want to be the help — we’ve gathered together a few local organizations offering comfort, cheer, and a Thanksgiving spread.
As always, the cafe, which is a program of the Asheville Poverty Initiative, will be open on Thanksgiving Day. You can also donate a cooked or uncooked turkey, or you can register for Pisgah Fitness’ Turkey Delivery Dash to race your frozen turkey donation straight to the cafe.
Registered families can drive through to receive a cooked meal (with turkey, sides, desserts, and drinks) and essential supplies. If you’d like to help out, join the waitlist for a volunteer shift or make a donation.
Due to the storm, some events on our website may be canceled or postponed. Please check the event links and websites to confirm details before attending.
Tuesday, Nov. 12 Read to a Dog | 4-5 p.m. | East Asheville Library | Free, RSVP | Little ones can practice their reading skills with the help of Evelyn the Goldendoodle.
Soup and Support | 5-7 p.m. | AmeriHealth Caritas | Free, RSVP | Share a meal and kickstart community healing — peer facilitators and resources will be available.
Wednesday, Nov. 13 Oakley Community Closet | 1-2 p.m. | Murphy-Oakley Community Center | Free | Find clothes, shoes, and toys at the no-cost shopping experience — you can also call to donate at the community center throughout the week.
Old Marshall Jail Ballad Swap | 6 p.m. | The Grey Eagle | $24 | Celebrate Appalachian heritage at a casual gathering of singers + storytellers from across the region.
Thursday, Nov. 14 Sample Blitz| 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | MountainTrue Asheville Office | Free | Help the French Broad River water team take samples to assess the storm’s impact on sewer infrastructure.
American Ballet Theatre Studio Company | Thursday, Nov. 14-Friday, Nov. 15 | 8-10 p.m. | Wortham Center for the Performing Arts | $65 | Experience the richly varied program of inventive original commissions, as well as classical and neoclassical favorites.
Friday, Nov. 15 WNC Veterans Benefits Fair | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Renaissance Asheville Downtown Hotel | Free | Learn about support, file claims for VA benefits, and get updates on your pending claims with the help of the Winston-Salem Regional Office.
Edible Park Workday | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Community Center | Free | Join Asheville Parks and Recreation, Bountiful Cities, and the East End Valley Street Neighborhood Association to keep the park in tip-top shape.
A blood transfusion occurs every two seconds in the US. | Photos by The Blood Connection
Did you know? One blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives — but although 60% of the US population is eligible to donate, only 3% do. We can help improve this statistic.
This holiday season, you can join The Blood Connection to give back in three ways:
The deadline to apply for Helene-related individual assistance from FEMA has been extended to Tuesday, Jan. 7. Apply online, through the app, or by calling 800-621-3362. Pro tip: You can also visit the local Disaster Recovery Center in the Asheville Mall.
Arts
Lowe’s in West Asheville will feature the works of 25 selected local artists at a special holiday pop-up. Interested artists should apply by 11:59 p.m. today, Nov. 12. And if you just want to shop and support, mark your calendar for the pop-up on Saturday, Nov. 30.
Cause
In partnership with RiseUP for Arts, Linked4Life, the charitable arm of Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, launched a new online initiative to support storm-impacted artists in Asheville. The ART4HOPE Gallery showcases submissions from artists all around the world, and proceeds from the sales will support local artists.
Sports
The City of Asheville estimates that the front nine of the Asheville Municipal Golf Course will need about $7 million in repairs. In that area, the recent multimillion-dollar capital improvements were mostly undone by the storm — the back nine were largely unharmed and have reopened for play. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Seasonal
Even though this year’s Gingerbread House Competition had to be canceled in the aftermath of the storm, Omni Grove Park Inn is keeping the holiday spirit alive. From Saturday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Jan. 5, over 45 competitors will display their creations at the hotel and in local businesses — see where to find the sweet structures.
Award
Asheville-based sourdough equipment company Sourhouse won a 2024 Kitchen Gear, Coffee & Tea Award from Good Housekeeping. The Goldie, a temperature-controlled container for sourdough starters, was recognized as one of the publication’s favorite prep tools.
Theater
NC Stage announced it will reopen with “All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.” This story of holiday peace in the midst of war will open on Friday, Nov. 29. Tickets will be offered on a sliding scale, and utility workers, first responders, and other recovery crews can get complimentary tickets.
Pets
Furniture gets scratched, shoes get chewed, toys go missing. These are regular occurrences in life with pets. But a $10,000 emergency surgery? That’s a whole other ball game. Fetch Pet Insurance could help you offset some of these nightmare scenarios by providing comprehensive coverage and up to 90% reimbursement.*
Category
Environment
Help Asheville turn over a new leaf
GreenWorks is making an effort to restore the local forests. | Photo by @photofern.wnc
Each year, Asheville GreenWorks hosts a native tree adoption — a single day where locals could pick up a native tree to plant on their property and thus contribute to the support of local pollinators and environmental resilience. But as with so many causes, the storm exacerbated the need. Helene wreaked arboreal havoc, felling countless trees throughout the region.
So instead of the usual adoption event, GreenWorks has decided to expand. The Reforest Asheville Effort will last a week, and residents can get multiple trees to help reforest their property. Because of the success of the organization’s fall tree sale fundraiser, many trees are available for free or reduced prices.
Start by browsing the online shop to find varieties like Pignut Hickory, Overcup Oak, and Southern Magnolia. Pickup begins today, Nov. 12 at Sand Hill Nursery, and your confirmation email will include additional details.
Pro tip: If you just want to support the cause, you can also donate or purchase a Reforest Asheville gift card.
The Buy
The Buy
The cutest oversized plaid chunky scarf, under $20 and available in any + every color pattern to complement your fall and winter wardrobe.
Especially as our community recovers, Thanksgiving isn’t the only time that some folks may need help filling their plates. BeLoved Asheville has street pantries located all around town for easy access to resources — and they shared a helpful tip. To see the one nearest you, just put “Beloved Street Pantry” into Google Maps and the locations will pop up. Then you can fill the pantries anytime or find a little help.
