COVID-19 Community Response | Where to Donate Food, Household Goods, and Other In-Kind Items in Buncombe County

In the spirit of helping our community during the COVID-19 crisis, the team at Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe has assembled a quick list of local nonprofits and organizations collecting items and goods to serve our more vulnerable populations. If you know of a group or organization that is not listed, please leave a comment and we will add them to the post, thank you!

Homeward Bound WNC
Homeward Bound has opened an emergency shelter for people experiencing homeless right now at the Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville (formerly the U.S. Cellular Center) downtown. They are in urgent need of items for their guests including toiletries, bottled water, single-serve packaged snacks, Lysol spray and wipes, and more. See their Instagram post below with a full list of items needed and directions for dropping them off. You can also view their Amazon wish list here.

View this post on Instagram

As Homeward Bound continues to supply the needs for our new 50-person emergency shelter in @harrahscherokeecenteravl, the need for community support also grows! Please consider donating a few of these items in need by dropping them off at @harrahscherokeecenteravl between 1-4pm everyday (ONLY) or drop off in person or deliver online to 205 Elk Park Drive anytime.

A post shared by Homeward Bound of WNC (@homeward_bound_wnc) on Apr 13, 2020 at 8:28am PDT

Buncombe County Schools
The Buncombe County Schools Family Resource Center is collecting nonperishable food, toiletries, and other household items for students and families affected by the ongoing COVID-19 situation. To see a full list with directions for when and where to drop off items, click here.

Manna Food Bank
Manna Food Bank is collecting healthy shelf-stable food items as well as cleaning supplies to distribute to area families. In addition to dropping off items, you can sign up for their Immediate Needs text alert by texting the keyword READY to 828-348-5883. To learn more about where to donate items, click here.

HandsOn Asheville
United Way's volunteer center, HandsOn Asheville, is coordinating both volunteers as well as in-kind donations for WNC families in need. To learn more about joining their community response to the COVID-19 crisis, click here.

Council on Aging of Buncombe County
COA of Buncombe County collects donations of material in-kind items to distribute to area seniors. In addition to non-perishable foods and cleaning supplies, they also collect nutritional drinks, cellphones, and incontinence supplies. To learn more about when and where to donate, click here.

Beloved Asheville
Beloved Asheville has established street pantries around the city next to hand washing stations where people can leave items for others in need. They are asking for bottled water, Gatorade, canned food, snack/protein bars, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes. They also ask that people wash/sanitize items before placing them in the pantry, and to wear a mask and gloves and maintain a 6 ft. distance from people using the pantry.

View this post on Instagram

Our new STREET PANTRIES are life-saving! People can get hand sanitizer, soap, food and other life saving supplies as easy as getting a free newspaper! Strategically placed next to handwashing stations to co-support care! #streetpantry #belovedstreetpantry #healthonthestreets #belovedstreetmedics #avl #asheville #avlnews #wavl #avl #avlart #asheville #northcaroline ##asheville #belovedasheville #stayhome #ashevillestrong #stayhomeorder #mountainxpress #avltoday #photooftheday #ashvegas #instadaily #friends #covid-19 #family

A post shared by Beloved asheville (@belovedasheville) on Apr 9, 2020 at 6:14am PDT