Over the past two weeks, Asheville has been flooded with love. From local, state, and federal agencies (yes, they are ALL here, but that’s a different post).
Joe, Hank, Alice and I have been doing shifts at a grassroots collection and distribution site. The generosity is staggering. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
But the needs are now evolving. Our site alone could no longer accept water, clothing, OTC meds, and much more. They have SO much. And that’s only one site. Other mountain areas (Boone, Marshall, Spruce Pine, and countless others) may need supplies, but Asheville now has what it needs to meet folks basic needs.
However, restaurants can’t open bc there’s no water, and many want to pay their staff regardless. Farmers can’t sell to restaurants, so they’re donating their produce for distribution by food banks. And artists lost much — if not all — of their inventory in the flooding.
- Consider donating to artists using the image below.
- Support farmers here: https://lnkd.in/ewSNg39R
- And if you have a truck of supplies, please direct it to a smaller town that doesn’t have as many resources as Asheville.
Local, independent businesses are the heart of the Asheville area—home to growers who are artists and artists whose work grows. Thought leaders and thought provokers, musicians and storytellers, entrepreneurs and educators, foodies and beer lovers, hippies, healers, adventurers, creators and innovators. We craft and brew and paint and carve, handcrafted by real hands. Now, those hands need a helping hand. And a hug.
This weekend, Explore Asheville, in partnership with Asheville Downtown Association, Go Local Asheville, ArtsAVL, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, ASHEVILLE INDEPENDENT RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION INC, WNC: MADE X MTNS, Mountain BizWorks, and JD Ellison and Company, launched the Love Asheville From Afar page. This page gathers shop links and direct donation platforms for Buncombe County businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Businesses located in or selling from Buncombe County can participate by completing this submission form: https://lnkd.in/gFFiH_V2
Your support can make a real difference—shop local or donate to help rebuild: https://lnkd.in/gA9Mmq39
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