Ray Porter has been a tutor with Literacy Together since 2022. The organization works to meet the literacy and English language needs of people of all ages in Buncombe County.
Why I volunteer: Loneliness is truly an epidemic
Donna Mann is a volunteer at Meals on Wheels of Asheville & Buncombe County. The organization delivers hot, nutritious meals and friendly visits to homebound seniors each weekday.
Why I volunteer: Passion for the environment
Grady Nance is a volunteer at MountainTrue. The nonprofit champions resilient forests, clean waters and healthy communities in the Southern Blue Ridge.
Local nonprofits look back on decades of growth, change
Asheville GreenWorks is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year while two other nonprofits — MANNA FoodBank and Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity — are marking 40 years. Xpress sat down with leaders of the three organizations to discuss their longevity, how they’ve evolved over time and what the future holds.
Why we volunteer: Fighting stigma
Steve and Sascha Frowine have volunteered at WNCAP for five years.
Teens discuss participation in ‘The Hour of HOPE’ podcast
Last June, Umoja debuted HOPE 4 the Future, a summer camp for children and teens. In its initial season, it served 78 youths.
Why I volunteer: A way to support the arts
Kathy O’Neal is a volunteer at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. The organization’s mission is to enrich, enlighten, educate and entertain through the performing arts.
Why I volunteer: Tree-passionate people
Pat Strang is a volunteer at Asheville GreenWorks, which works to create an equitable, climate-resilient future for the community.
Punch Bucket Lit founder Rachel Hanson on launching a literary nonprofit
The founder of the monthly literary reading series is seeking nonprofit status for the organization.
Nonpartisan voting rights organizations confront mounting challenges
In increasingly polarizing political times, organizations centered on the right to vote have united for their common cause.
Why I volunteer: Energy and enthusiasm
Robin Lenner has volunteered with Girls on the Run for 10 years. The organization inspires girls of all abilities to strengthen confidence and other important life skills through physical activity.
Why I volunteer: Building relationships with local farmers
Lisa Fields is a volunteer with Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. The nonprofit helps link farmers to markets and supporters and strives to build healthy communities through connections to local food.
Why I volunteer: New knowledge
Bettye Fox Boone and Saylor Fox are volunteers with Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. The organization conserves unique plant and animal habitat, clean water, farmland, scenic beauty in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. How long have you been volunteering with the conservancy and what inspired you to join? We have been volunteering with the Southern […]
Why I volunteer: Giving is more fulfilling than getting
Judith Biery is a volunteer with Bounty & Soul. The nonprofit provides free produce markets and wellness education the residents in Western North Carolina.
Why I volunteer: Aha moments!
Leland Arnsdorff is a volunteer at the WNC Nature Center. The organization works to connect people with the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachian Mountain region.
Why I volunteer: Find ways to thrive
Paulina Mendez is a volunteer at Asheville Latin Americans Achieving Success. Through mentoring, training and scholarships, the nonprofit works to help develop leaders within the local Latin community.
Why I volunteer : A deeper understanding and friendships
Since 2016, Jan Cosman has worked as a volunteer for MANNA FoodBank. The nonprofit works to end food insecurity in the 16 counties of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary.
Dr. Mollie Scott on contraception and public health
“Focusing on access to contraception so that women can plan their family — when and if they want to have a family — is really important,” says Dr. Scott.
Cleanup time: Local governments and nonprofits tackle WNC’s filth
“We’ve pretty much been doing cleanups for 50 years without really seeing any real changes,” says Asheville GreenWorks’ operations manager Chelsea Adams. “We go back to the same roads, in the same section of river and creek, every single year and do cleanups over and over and over.”
Business, nonprofit roundup: New coworking space coming to Asheville
The new coworking space at 45 S. French Broad Ave includes 18 offices, 12 phone booths, 50 flex desks, a communal kitchen area and conference rooms.
As costs soar, an end to federal support leaves students and families searching for food
Federal funding that allowed schools to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students ended last year. Now, area families face rising meal costs and tight subsidy restrictions.