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There are more than enough great causes in Asheville to support with your time, especially as many organizations work tirelessly to meet the ever-evolving needs for recovery. Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or have a heart for healthcare, there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are 40+ ways to get involved in Asheville.
Good neighbors
- Hands On Asheville-Buncombe | Explore a variety of opportunities to serve Asheville area nonprofits through United Way’s volunteer center.
- Bounty & Soul | Assist with providing the community with meals, produce, and other essentials.
- Babies Need Bottoms | Since the nonprofit’s inception, the organization has distributed more than 2.5 million diapers to families in need — help wrap diapers, unload deliveries, or host a diaper drive of your own.
- MANNA FoodBank | Complete volunteer orientation to begin helping the food bank distribute resources across WNC.
- BeLoved Asheville | Help the nonprofit provide critical necessities to those most affected by the storm.
- Hearts with Hands | There are currently shifts available to help sort and distribute donated goods — just be sure to sign the first-time volunteer waiver before claiming a shift.
- Western Carolina Rescue Ministries | Help pack and distribute meal boxes, prepare food, and sort donations.
- Food Connection | Help pack delicious meals for neighbors in need.
If you’re a mental health advocate
- NAMI Western Carolina | Help out the local chapter of this national organization by assisting with advocacy, support, and administrative or fundraising tasks.
- SeekHealing | Serve in one of the many volunteer opportunities available, including the listening line, connection mission, or community aftercare program.
For the handy individuals
- Asheville Tool Library | Assist this community-based lending library as a dedicated maintenance staff repair person or tool inventory librarian — plus, explore short-term opportunities like tool sales and tool sharpening days.
- Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity | Hammer nails on a construction site, or assist on the home repair team.
- WNC Repair Cafe | Whether you’re a skilled seamstress or a general handyman, you can offer your skills to those in need with this Mills River-based organization.
If you’re an animal lover
- Appalachian Wildlife Refuge | Help transport wildlife, operate the hotline, input animal care data, or get hands-on opportunities for animal care.
- Wild Heart Farm Sanctuary | Work with the sanctuary animals, tend to the community garden, or help keep up the property.
- Asheville Humane Society | The organization isn’t accepting volunteer applications at the moment, but check back for when they reopen — in the meantime, you can join the AHS Volunteers Facebook group to find more local opportunities.
- Brother Wolf Animal Rescue | The rescue’s shelter was destroyed by Helene, so right now, the primary need is monetary donations — but interested volunteers can fill out a form to be notified when volunteer opportunities arise.
- Mountain Pet Rescue | Pitch in at the office, adoption events, The Thrift Hound, or the cat habitats at PetSmart.
- Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue | Take pups on walks, help with transportation or marketing, or become a foster pet parent.
Supporters of veterans
- ABCCM | Help serve the community through crisis services, veterans’ services, food preparation and serving, medical ministry, and administrative tasks.
- Aura Home for Women Vets | Help deliver goods, lend a hand at fundraiser events, join a committee, or move veterans into new homes.
- Equinox Ranch | Help build housing for combat veterans learning coping strategies to integrate into their everyday lives at this riverfront ranch in nearby Cullowhee.
- Veterans Healing Farm | Help maintain the garden, harvest herbs for tinctures, or raise and care for honeybees. For something less labor intensive, assist with marketing, social media, events, fundraising, and community outreach.
- Heart of Horse Sense | Assist with barn and farm support and horse care, as well as with education, events, fundraising, and community outreach for this Marshall-based nonprofit that offers trauma-informed equine therapy services.
For the outdoorsy types
- Asheville GreenWorks | The whole family can join a cleanup to restore our roads and waterways.
- MountainTrue | Lend a hand at one of the organization’s many river cleanups — make sure to bring your PPE.
- RiverLink | Care for the French Broad River watershed by attending cleanups and park workdays.
- Dogwood Alliance | Wanna help protect forests? Volunteer for research, campaigning, outreach and media, fundraising, organization, management, and special events.
- Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy | Manage habitats for native species, remove trash from protected lands, host outreach events, and more.
- Carolina Mountain Club | Help keep iconic hiking trails like the A.T., MST, and Art Loeb open and safe for all to hike.
Helping your neighbors in need
- Homeward Bound of WNC | Sort and distribute furniture and household items, offer administrative support, and organize a donation drive.
- Meals on Wheels | Deliver meals to homebound and elderly residents during a regular weekly shift.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC | Mentor a child facing adversity, allowing them to see their full potential.
- Eblen Charities | Volunteer at fundraising events or special assistance programs, help with administrative tasks, or lend a hand with warehouse organization.
- Haywood Street Congregation | Join an orientation to serve as part of the Companion Ministry.
- Eliada | Reach out to the little ones in the community through recreation, child development + foster care programs, or even the campus farm.
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.
- Asheville FM | Support this independent community radio station with fundraising, events, and outreach. You can even host a radio show after you’ve logged a minimum number of volunteer hours.
- South Asheville Cemetery Association | Help maintain the historic South Asheville Cemetery in Kenilworth.
- Hood Huggers | Help out in the Peace Gardens, donate time and knowledge, and assist with special events, including the annual Day of Service on MLK Jr. Day.
- YWCA of Asheville | Help out at the facility or through opportunities with the association’s various programs.
Self-proclaimed bibliophiles
- Literacy Together | Serve as an ESOL tutor who helps immigrant adults learn English or as a youth literacy tutor who works with children who read, write, and/or spell below grade level.
- Read to Succeed | Work one-on-one or in small groups with K-5th grade students to boost literacy.
- The POP Project | Collect and sort book donations, make book deliveries, or research and write grants.
If you want to be there for abuse victims
- Our Voice | Support victims of sexual violence through advocacy or collecting supplies for survivors.
- My Sister’s Place | This Marshall-based advocacy organization for victims of domestic + sexual violence needs help with fundraising, seasonal chores, operating its thrift store, and sponsorship of children and clients.
- Helpmate | Provide childcare during weekly support group meetings or answer calls on its 24-hour hotline.
- Family Justice Center | Work as a receptionist, offer clerical support, perform intake assessments + obtain referrals, or provide information and support to hotline callers.
The artsy types
- Asheville Community Theatre | Support the city’s longest-running playhouse as a volunteer usher.
- Asheville Art Museum | Become a docent or work with visitor services, education, and events outreach.
- Open Hearts Art Center | Lend a hand with artistic projects or assist with fundraising, event planning, and communication surrounding events.
