Press release from MANNA Foodbank:
Nothing can hold back the giving spirit of the holidays here in Western North Carolina, particularly when it comes to ensuring that thousands of would-be empty plates will be filled with food. Right now, with MANNA and their network of partner organizations serving more than 155,000 people each month, Ingles Markets is again launching the annual Ingles Giving Tree, a benefit for MANNA FoodBank and neighbors across WNC struggling with hunger.
To kick off the holiday season, this year’s Ingles Giving Tree will return to the Asheville Mall, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary year and its place as the familiar backdrop for so many wonderful memories of previous Ingles Giving Tree events. The evening will include live holiday music, a $2,600 Ingles gift card giveaway, and a true celebration of the thirty-year impact of this much-loved tradition.The tree lighting event will take place on Monday, November 20, from 4:00 to 6:00pm, at the Asheville Mall. The lighting will be broadcast live on WLOS, between 5:30 and 6:00pm, and streaming live on WLOS’ website.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Ingles Markets, and to harness their media power to rally the community around neighbors facing food insecurity, Ingles will host several opportunities for people to purchase $5 holiday icons to benefit MANNA and be entered into a drawing for a $2,600 Ingles gift card! There are ONLY two ways to be entered into the drawing:
Several local-area Ingles stores will host live radio remotes with their partners at iHeartMedia the week of November 13. The community is invited to purchase a $5 holiday icon at the remotes to be entered into the drawing. The remotes will take place on the following days, times, and locations:
Monday, November 13
4:00 – 6:00pm
Ingles Store #137, Mills River
Hosted by Amanda Foxx of WKSF, 99.9 Kiss Country
Tuesday, November 14
11:00am – 1:00pm
Ingles Store #8, Black Mountain
Hosted by Mark Starling of WWNC, News Radio 570
Wednesday, November 15
11:00am – 1:00pm
Ingles Store #30, Skyland/Hendersonville Road
Hosted by Josh Michael of WQNS, Rock 105.1
Thursday, November 16
4:00 – 6:00pm
Ingles Store #62, New Leicester Highway
Hosted by Tank and Jeremy of 92.9 ESPN Asheville
Friday, November 17
Ingles Store #130, Long Shoals Road
11:00am – 1:00pm
Hosted by Ariel Rymer of Star 104.3
On the night of the tree lighting, a single winner will be drawn from all entries, and the winner will be announced live on WLOS.
Guests attending the tree lighting are also encouraged to bring a bag of healthy, shelf-stable food items to donate to MANNA. Donations can be dropped at the MANNA table inside the Asheville Mall, both on the night of the tree lighting and throughout the holiday season.
“With the continued, elevated need for food in our region, we are overjoyed to know what this much needed support will mean to record numbers of people who are in crisis right now in our community,” said Mary Nesbitt, Chief Development Officer for MANNA. “We are deeply grateful for our extraordinary partnership with Ingles, for the millions of pounds of food that our Ingles Reclaim Center provides each year, and for their commitment to bring our community together to help get food to those who need it most.”
“Celebrating the season with this beautiful tradition is an honor for Ingles,” said Pat Jackson, Chief Financial Officer for Ingles Markets. “Ingles is honored to be a part of MANNA FoodBank’s beautiful tradition and to be a part of the change that will eventually end food insecurity
Together, Ingles, MANNA, and their dedicated network of partner organizations continue to ensure that the hope and giving of the season is still going strong, and serving neighbors who are facing their hardest moment with not just the food they need, but the hope that comes from a community that cares.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.