What You Are Making Possible – Our Essential Foods Program

Several months after Helene’s destruction devastated the lives, businesses and livelihoods of so many people across our region, we went on a quest to listen and learn from our partners across WNC about their greatest needs. We heard a resounding common theme from our communities that some of the most requested foods by our neighbors were out of reach for them: fresh produce, eggs, meat, and cheese.

Because of your incredible disaster relief support and that of so many caring individuals, foundations and corporate partners, we are overjoyed and beyond grateful to share that we were able to create and launch a three-year, multi-million-dollar Essential Foods Program to provide these nutritionally dense foods consistently for all of our 220+ partner agencies.

Our Essential Foods Program launched in July and it could not have been more timely because our neighbors are turning to food pantries across Western North Carolina at record levels, with 190,000 visits in June alone.

Whenever possible, we are purchasing from local farmers within a 400-mile radius to keep food dollars working at home and to shorten the path from regional farms to families in need. Already, we have distributed more than 158,000+ pounds of these healthy foods across WNC since launching the program in July, which is equivalent to approximately 132,000+ meals. We are once again inspired by what is made possible when good people come together around a common purpose.