ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County is partnering with MANNA FoodBank, the City of Asheville and the Town of Weaverville to host a community food drive.
The event is being held now through Nov. 23, and its purpose is to support area families experiencing food insecurity, according to a Nov. 9 news release.
“Last year, our community faced extraordinary circumstances during the federal government shutdown. The generosity and compassion of our residents were evident in the tremendous outpouring of donations to support our friends and neighbors,” said Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder in the release.
The county said the food drive is a chance for the community to come together and help ensure MANNA’s partners have shelves stocked for the upcoming holiday and winter season. Every month, neighbors across WNC and the Qualla Boundary make more than 225,000 visits to the more than 300 food distribution partners MANNA supports, where they can find the food they need, the release said.
“We are stronger when we work together, and every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference. Thank you to everyone who contributes to this shared effort and a special thanks to Buncombe County Libraries, the City of Asheville, and the Town of Weaverville for their partnership and support of this food drive,” Pinder said in the release.
Most-needed items include the following shelf-stable foods, such as the following:
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Canned or pouched proteins, including chicken and tuna (pouches preferred)
- Dried beans and rice
- Other nonperishable food items
A full list of requested food items and information about food resources is available on MANNA’s website.
The donations must be unopened, shelf-stable food in its original packaging. MANNA said it can’t accept homemade, opened, expired, damaged or perishable items, including foods that require refrigeration or freezing. Please do not donate food in glass containers.
“Western North Carolina is a place where neighbors show up for each other, and this food drive is a great example,” said Micah Chrisman, Director of Marketing and Communications for MANNA FoodBank, in the release. “The shelf-stable foods collected will help stock pantries and partners across our community for the holiday and winter season, and a gift of any size helps keep good food moving. Every can of vegetables and bag of rice makes a difference for a neighbor.”
Food donation boxes are located at the following locations during normal operating hours:
- Buncombe County Libraries
- Buncombe County Government Services Building, 35 Woodfin St., Asheville
- Buncombe County Register of Deeds, 205 College St., Asheville
- Buncombe County Health and Human Services, 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville
- The City of Asheville’s Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Rd., Asheville
- Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Dr., Weaverville
MANNA FoodBank also accepts monetary donations on its website.
Through this food drive, Buncombe County collaborates with MANNA FoodBank these other local organizations:
- Appalachian Community Relief
- Bounty & Soul
- Family to Family at Beverly Hills Baptist Church
- ABCCM Hominy Valley
- Food for Fairview
- Georgetown Baptist
- ABCCM, Loving Food Resources
- Victory Fellowship Worship
- Colaborativa La Milpa
More information about the food drive and local food assistance is available by going to the Buncombe County’s Food Resources page or by calling the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100.