Amid SNAP lapse, 4 Asheville community centers designated as food donation sites

ASHEVILLE – In response to the recent lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP, several city community centers are being designated as food drop off sites. Donated food will be distributed to local food pantries and distribution agencies, according to a Nov. 4 news release.

Donations can be made any time the centers are open.

The Trump administration said in a Nov. 3 court filing that it will send out partial payments to the nearly 42 million Americans who receive SNAP, using its emergency reserve to cover “50% of eligible households’ current allotments.”

Recipients across the state are anticipated to begin receiving those benefits early next week, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Nov. 3. The federal food assistance program serves 1.4 million people in North Carolina, according to the state health department. In Buncombe County, more than 29,000 individuals are enrolled.

Buncombe County launched its own food drive Oct. 30 to support MANNA FoodBank and is accepting food donations at its 12 library locations.

Where can you donate food in Asheville?

Donations can be made any time during operational hours. City drop off locations will be closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.

Tempie Avery Montford Community Center: 34 Pearson Drive.

• Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Harvest House Community Center. 205 Kenilworth Road.

• Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Grove Street Community Center. 36 Grove St.

• Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Stephens-Lee Community Center. 30 George Washington Carver Ave.

• Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Suggested items for donation

No glass containers or expired food.

• Canned proteins (chicken, tuna)

• Shelf-stable milk (2% or regular)

• Canned entrees (chili, red beans and rice, raviolis, chicken chili, spaghetti etc.)

• Canned vegetables (no salt added)

• Rice side dishes in a box

• Baby formula (just add water)

• Baby food in plastic containers

• Low sugar cereals and oatmeal

For a list of food distribution sites, visit the MANNA resource map: https://mannafoodbank.org/wnc-free-food-distributions/

For a list of suggested items to donate and other drop-off locations, visit the Buncombe County Food Resource page at buncombenc.gov/993/Food-Resources.

Need help? Free food in Asheville area

• MANNA FoodBank. The Food Finder Tool, at mannafoodbank.org/where-to-get-help/, provides a map of MANNA FoodBank’s more than 220 nonprofit pantries, meal sites and other community-based organizations offering free food across 16 Western North Carolina counties, including the Qualla Boundary. For further assistance, call or text the Food Helpline between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday at 828-290-9749.

• Bounty & Soul. Multiple markets, offering free produce and other whole foods, operate throughout the weekend in Asheville, Black Mountain, Fairview and Swannanoa. View the locations and schedule at bountyandsoul.org/community/market-schedule/.

• YMCA of Western North Carolina. The free mobile food markets travel across the region, including to parks, libraries, health system offices and neighborhood hubs across Asheville, Candler, Clyde, Hendersonville, Leicester, Marshall, Marion, Mills River and Old Fort. View the schedule and locations at ymcawnc.org/programs/community/food-programs. The YMCA is offering financial assistance for memberships and programs for those affected by the shutdown. Call 828-251-5910 or email [email protected] for details.

• Asheville Poverty Initiative/12 Baskets Café. The café opens at 10 a.m. for free coffee and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. for free lunch service and store on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 610 Haywood Road in West Asheville. For more, visit ashevillepovertyinitiative.org/12baskets.

• Haywood Street Congregation/Downtown Welcome Table. Free lunch is served from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays at 297 Haywood St. in Asheville. Meals are served family-style, with seating every half hour by checking into the reservation booth. For group seating, email [email protected] or call 828-575-2477, ext. 301. For more, visit haywoodstreet.org/downtown-welcome-table/.

• Southside Community Farm. The Southside Free Grocery Program serves the Southside neighborhood, a food desert, by providing an outdoor pantry and refrigerator stocked with produce grown at the urban farm. Locations include the Edington Center (133 Livingston St.), Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center (285 Livingston St.) and the South French Free Fridge and pantry (382 South French Broad Ave.) For more locations and details, visit southsidecommunitygarden.org.

• Food Connection. Fresh free meals are distributed from Food Connection “Beyond the Bus Line” distribution sites, including in Candler, Fairview, Leicester, Swannanoa and Weaverville. For the schedule and locations, visit food-connection.org.

• The Buncombe County Register of Deeds. The office at 205 College St. in downtown Asheville, operates a diaper bank during regular hours with free diapers, baby wipes and baby formula. Visit buncombenc.gov/m/NewsFlash/Home/Detail/204.

Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email [email protected] or message on Twitter at @slhonosky.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Where can you donate food in Asheville? City designates 4 sites