Asheville and western North Carolina Catholic Charities assistance programs.
Assistance from Catholic Charities in Asheville is available across Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, Transylvania, Polk County, McDowell and western North Carolina. There are many services, including a food pantry on site that is run in partnership with Manna Food Bank. Other services will deliver a meal to an elderly person or someone with a disability, or feed very low income families at the holidays.
The volunteers from the Christian agency in Asheville can also direct clients to resources such as food stamp application sites or non-profits that may offer emergency financial assistance. There is also refugee casework as well as immigration services to help with citizenship and more. So the food is combined with other support, such as clothing, financial aid, referrals and more.
Free food and basic needs
In regards to the food assistance in Buncombe County and surrounding regions, of particular focus is on feeding the truly vulnerable. So while Catholic Charities in Asheville will try not to turn anyone away from help, there may be cases in which supplies are limited. In those instances the priority will be on feeding children, single parents, seniors, and the disabled in the area.
To this end, the Summer Youth Feeding program will offer a lunchtime meal or snacks to students. It is intended to fill the gap in their diets during the holidays or summer months when they do not have access to a free school lunch or breakfast. The youth service is only for low-income children, and they need to have been approved for food stamps or free school meal. This project is run through the Asheville Catholic Charity Soup Kitchen and the meals are provided by volunteers as well as part time staff.
The lunches are disbursed across Buncombe, Henderson and Polk County. They may be passed out at school or local churches. Some will be passed out at parks in which children may meet during the summer. The intent is to make it as convenient to the child as possible.
Case managers can direct the family to state of North Carolina public assistance programs. These tend to be for very low income families, single parents or a disabled individual. One, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will provide free baby formula and vouchers to mothers. The main one in Western North Carolina as well as Asheville, and nationwide, is SNAP food stamps, and this too can be used to help people obtain food. More on public assistance SNAP in North Carolina.
Free food pantries can be turned to a few times per year. They are there to fill short term needs for families facing a crisis. The locations have volunteers that not only work there to process applications, but they also work with businesses and people in the community to collect donated food items.
There may be up to a three-day supply of free food, groceries or maybe perishable items passed out for eligible participants. The boxes given may contain canned fruits and vegetables, meat, milk, baby formula and other edible items. If someone from Asheville region (including Haywood or McDowell Counties) is not qualified to use the Catholic Charities pantry, or if they do not have enough items to pass out, then they will offer referrals to other local food banks or soup kitchens.
In very rare instances, there may be small dollar amounts of financial assistance available to a family in an extreme crisis. Maybe a person needs a voucher to get to their job so they do not get terminated, or life saving medications. Or maybe they are a few dollars behind on their rent for one month only, and future payments will be on track. In these cases there may be assistance provided.
Other assistance may be arranged by Catholic Charities in Buncombe County as well. One is when volunteers help with minor housing repairs. There may be updates done to address acessibility modifications for persons with disabilities or to help a senior make their property safe to live in.
All of the services are generally combined with free advice/case management to address the root cause of the hardship. As Asheville Catholic Charities works with clients to help them overcome barriers and help them stability or ideally get out of poverty. This can include referrals to employment, affordable housing, job training or educational opportunities and more.
Case work services, including for immigrants, refugees and pregnant women
Counseling as well as case management from case managers from Catholic Charities will help the client access affordable medical and dental access, child care, or job training. Or get information on low income housing in the area. Therefore the services are extensive.
Refugee and Immigration Services help newcomers to counties including McDowell, Buncombe and others. There are translation services at Catholic Charities, help in applying for Green Cards, job programs, referrals to housing, legal advice and such as translation. Catholic Charities in Asheville helps newcomers to the region.
Contact and applying for Catholic Charities programs in Asheville and Western North Carolina
When applying for help from the non-profit, call them first. As some needs may be addressed over the phone and not in person. While criteria may be needed as well as documentation, please be prepared with the following items if needed. Applicants should have a picture ID (preferably a driver’s license), proof of income, copy of Food Stamp eligibility letter, a plan for self-sufficiency, and whatever else is needed. Call or stop by 50 Orange St, Asheville, NC 28801. Call (828) 255-0146.
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