Be part of the community at 12 Baskets. | Photo via 12 Baskets Cafe
Happy GivingTuesday. Today is the globally-celebrated day all about giving back to the community. Luckily, there are endless ways to get in the spirit here in Asheville. Here are 50+ local nonprofits you can support through donations and volunteer opportunities.
For mental health advocates
Trauma Intervention Program of WNC | Provide emotional support and resources to survivors of traumatic events and their families — start by completing a two-week training.
For handy individuals
Asheville Tool Library | Assist this community-based lending library as a maintenance staff repair person or tool inventory librarian.
For animal lovers
Appalachian Wildlife Refuge | Help transport wildlife, operate the hotline, input data, or get hands-on opportunities for animal care.
For outdoorsy types
Carolina Mountain Club | Help keep iconic hiking trails like the A.T., MST, and Art Loeb open and safe for all to hike.
If you live and breathe Asheville
Asheville Poverty Initiative | Take and fill grocery orders or offer your hospitality services in the cafe before sitting down for a meal.
YMI Cultural Center | Provide your assistance at one of the US’s oldest Black cultural centers, whether it’s through leading tours or setting up at events like Goombay Festival.
The first 500 fans to attend the UNC Asheville vs. UNC Greensboro men’s basketball game at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville tonight, Dec. 2, will get in free. To redeem the promo, courtesy of Ingles and the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission, mention the offer or show this flyer at the box office.
Open
The cat’s out of the bag.Pet Supplies Plus is now open on Haywood Road, across from Sunny Point Cafe in the former Family Dollar. The shop has pet foods and products for dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, fish, and small animals, plus a full-service grooming salon and self-serve pet wash stations.
Weather
With a winter weather advisory in effect this morning, it has us wondering — how much will it snow in Asheville this winter? According to WLOS meteorologist Jason Boyer, the season is expected to be milder and drier, with brief cold snaps and near-average snowfall of eight to 12 inches.
Announced
With a $500,000 grant from the American Red Cross, Swannanoa Communities Together (SCT) is tripling its space. The nonprofit formed after Helene, offering services like rental assistance, mental health counseling, and free food access. You can volunteer to work on the new space this Saturday, Dec. 6.
Environment
The Pigeon River Fund of The Community Foundation of WNC awarded 12 water quality grants totaling $350,365 to regional environmental nonprofits. Asheville Greenworks received $50,000 for river cleanup work, and RiverLink earned $35,000 for restoration projects in Swannanoa. See the full breakdown.
Holiday
The Rhu’s holiday cookie box fundraiser is back. When you pick up a $14 box at the cafe, all proceeds benefit BeLoved Asheville’s important community work. And these flavors are anything but cookie-cutter, with sweets like molasses crinkle and rosemary brown butter sugar cookie.
Eat
The 2026 AIR Passport has landed. The book from the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association is filled with deals and discounts to 40+ member eateries across the city, including Chai Pani, Gan Shan, and White Labs. A special rate of $65 is offered through today, Dec. 2.
Today is Giving Tuesday. Support Pisgah Legal Services with a donation that helps stop domestic violence + more. Thanks to a few generous donors, the first $40,000 raised will be matched dollar-for-dollar. As a bonus, every donor will be entered to win great local prizes.*
The Asheville Museum of History will host the post-ceremony reception. | Photo by AVLtoday
The Asheville Museum of History has announced the five finalists for the 2025 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award. The esteemed award is bestowed upon authors with a special connection to WNC — David Joy’s poetic and riveting novel “Those We Thought We Knew” is the most recent winner.
Here are this year’s finalists:
Rob Amberg, “Little Worlds”
Wayne Caldwell, “Shadow Family”
Leigh Ann Henion, “Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark”
Ron Rash, “The Caretaker”
Terry Roberts, “The Devil Hath a Pleasing Shape”
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award and a cash prize will be awarded to the winner during a ceremony at A-B Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. — plus, each finalist will read a short passage from their work. Attending is free, but registration is required.
The Buy
The perfect two-piece sweater set for winter. It features a long sleeve crew neck top paired with a split hem midi skirt. We love that it’s cute, comfy, and warm, and can be dressed up or down for any occasion. Bonus: It’s available in some great seasonal colorways like almond white + red white.
Pro tip: Each of the books nominated for the 2025 Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award is available now at local bookstores, like Malaprop’s. You can also find some of the amazing past winners.
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