Several local organizations have amped up operations to meet the needs in the local community during the COVID-19 crisis. Here’s a small group and how they are helping, and ways you can get involved if you are among the well and financially stable.
Blowing Rock C.A.R.E.S.
828-295-7675
Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1218 Main Street, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Mondays 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and Fridays 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
This food pantry helps our local families with weekly distribution of donated items, and has added a second pick-up day during this current time of need. If you are a Watauga County resident in need of assistance, this pantry is open to you! Stop by Rumple Church during the hours above to pick up food, free of charge.
How to help: Blowing Rock C.A.R.E.S. is always accepting donations of non-perishable food, as well as monetary donations. During this time, the charity is working to be able to deliver food boxes- contact them to see if you can be of assistance with that!
More at http://blowingrockcares.com/wordpress/
Casting Bread Food Pantry
828-295-8333
194 Aho Road, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Wed. & Thurs. from 10:30 am – 3 pm
Casting Bread is operated by FaithBridge United Methodist Church, offering pantry pickup times for those in need of food. The soup kitchen is closed for now to reduce risk during COVID-19 precautions. Pantry food box pick-up is on Wed. & Thurs. from 10:30 am – 3 pm.
How to help: Casting Bread is always accepting donations of food, hygiene, and household goods, although monetary donations are more efficient due to their ability to purchase food from Second Harvest Food Bank. Call for drop-off information, or donate funds online.
Hospitality House
828-264-1237
338 Brook Hollow Rd, Boone, NC 28607
This organization works to combat homelessness, hunger, and poverty in our communities. They serve three meals a day (breakfast 6:30 am – 8:30 am; lunch 11:30 am – 1:00 pm; and dinner 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm), which is now being offered to-go. Meals are provided to all residents and any community members at no charge. The Food Pantry is open seven days a week from 12:00 – 4:00 pm, and is available to anyone in our region who qualifies for low-income assistance.
How to help: Hospitality House is looking for donations to feed children and families during school closures. The organization anticipates a spike in hunger and need by individuals, families and college students displaced by school and restaurant closures. As the operations have now switched to take-away, the Community Kitchen is in need of to-go containers, wrapped utensils, and other single-use items.
More at https://www.hosphouse.org/covid19
Hunger & Health Coalition
828-262-1628
141 Health Center Drive, Suite C, Boone, NC 28607
Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
The Hunger & Health coalition assists individuals and families with food and prescription medication needs in Watauga County. Food boxes, to-go meals, and the Fresh Market are available with a simple sign up. Due to an abundance of caution, they are converting their operations to a drive-thru model.
How to help: Food donations and volunteers are always needed. A donor has pledged to match funds during this time, so monetary donations can go even further!
More at https://www.hungerandhealthcoalition.com/coronovirus
Care Box (Wine to Water)
828-865-5117
Ransom Restaurant, Wine to Water, and Vincent Properties have teamed up to assist service industry workers during the pandemic crisis. This new program seeks to provide boxes of food and household items to servers and food industry employees who have lost work. To inquire about receiving food from Care Box, service workers should contact their employer to connect with the group’s organizers. Pickup for the boxes will be every Thursday and Friday from 1 to 6 p.m. using a voucher system.
How to help: Donations are being taken now! Volunteers may also be needed to pack boxes; inquire by emailing care.box40 @ gmail.com. Care Box has already packed more than 16,000 meals and the need continues.
Donate to Care Box at give.winetowater.org/CAREBOX.
Read more about Care Box (and many other amazing community efforts) in this article by the Watauga Democrat.
If you’re experiencing food insecurity in the High Country, you don’t have to go hungry. Click here to view the Watauga Area Food Guide.
Taking care of your mental health is important during this crisis. See a list of resources to help here.
Here is a list of more local non-profits and community groups!