BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. — In the Swannanoa Valley, a small nonprofit is stepping up to tackle food insecurity. Appalachian Community Relief is not just about handing out food; it’s about creating a supportive environment for neighbors in need.
Co-directors Aaron Gilmour and Allison Hargus emphasize their mission: ensuring people have immediate access to food while also helping them build a more stable future. “We want to be a safe haven, not just a pantry,” they say.
The urgency of their work has grown over recent years. Rising grocery prices, federal funding cuts, and disruptions to food assistance programs have made life tougher for many families. In Swannanoa Valley, these challenges intensified after a storm destroyed the local grocery store, leaving residents with fewer options.
Currently, the organization supports 2,500 to 3,000 people each month. In just the first year of operating their new store, they reached around 30,000 individuals and distribute about 11,000 pounds of food monthly. This isn’t your typical food pantry; there’s a children’s play area and a free little library to foster community connections.
For many visitors, this space is more than a place to get food. One customer shared that they found the environment comforting enough to confront their social anxiety after losing a job due to an injury. “The space you have created … made my social anxiety fall away,” they wrote in an anonymous note.
To better serve the community, Appalachian Community Relief collects data on household sizes and ZIP codes and conducts surveys to understand local needs. However, they face challenges. Demand has surged, particularly since cuts and delays in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) last fall. Funding issues have forced the organization to buy food that was once covered by grants.
The cuts to U.S. Department of Agriculture programs have also hit hard. Many local food banks are feeling the strain, putting pressure on smaller organizations like Appalachian Community Relief. Most of their funding comes from individual donations, which dropped early this year before starting to recover. When finances tighten, they have to limit food orders and distributions.
There’s also a rising need for grocery delivery among those without reliable transportation. Leaders are working to roll out a delivery program to meet this demand later this year.
A significant 90% of their budget goes directly toward food pantry operations. To ensure responsible spending, they maintain rigorous financial oversight with monthly reports and board reviews, supported by a pro bono accounting firm.
Looking forward, Appalachian Community Relief aims to expand its programming and strengthen community partnerships. Their leaders want to raise awareness that food insecurity affects more people than many realize. “As a community, we can work together to ensure our neighbors have full plates,” they say.
