The YMCA of Western North Carolina has marked an impressive yet sobering milestone by serving more than 1 million healthy, nutritious meals to kids in need since 2013. The Y serves healthy meals and snacks during its afterschool, summer day camp, and other full and half-day child care programs, and also delivers meals throughout the year to community sites located in food deserts. The award-winning feeding program is funded by the USDA and supported by many community partners, including local school systems and chefs. One in seven North Carolinians suffers from food insecurity, and hunger has increased during the pandemic. The need is especially great for children. In addition to its meal programs, the Y hosts more than 30 mobile food markets in Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell, Madison, and Haywood counties every month. The food is free for all with no questions asked. Click here for the current schedule. As a nonprofit community benefit organization, the Y relies on volunteers and donors to support its hunger relief efforts. Click here for more information on how to volunteer and click here to donate or make a pledge.
Announcement
Netsmart announced the acquisition of GPM, a Software-as-a-Service technology and services company, dedicated to supporting Long-term/Post-acute care (LTPAC) medical practices that provide medical care to geriatric patients – many of whom reside in skilled nursing facilities. This acquisition extends the Netsmart CareFabric platform to deliver interoperable data sharing between long-term care facilities and the providers that treat and coordinate care for their residents.
This January, Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours Founder and Owner Kaye Bentley was honored as the first guest on AARP’s new “Meet the Founder Series“ by Felicia Brown. A video interview series offered on AARP’s Small Business Resource Center for the 50+, Brown’s “Meet the Founder Series” focuses on business owners over 45-years-old and aims to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs by exploring “the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along their entrepreneurial journey.” You can see “Meet the Founder” Episode 1 here: https://www.smallbizrc.org/episode-1-kaye-bentley.
Community
American Red Cross is seeking blood donor ambassador volunteers. These volunteers are the reasons the Red Cross can host blood drives. Several enhanced blood donations protocols including PPE and social distancing have been implemented in the interest of the safety of the blood supply, recipients, other donors, staff, volunteers, and general public health. Those 18+ can apply at: tinyurl.com/BloodDonorAmbassadorVolunteer
The Junior League of Asheville is excited to announce Be the Change Challenge, a virtual 5k/10k fundraiser to be held between April 9th and 18th, 2021. Members of the community are invited to skip, hop, walk, run, or race the event, which will also act as fundraiser for the JLA. Funds raised for this event will directly support the programs of the Junior League of Asheville. Please visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/NC/Anytown/JuniorLeagueofAshevilleVirtualRun to register for Be the Change Challenge.
Promotion
Team building is so important to a business’s success! It is a great time to interact with each other outside of work. AR Workshop’s Virtual Team Building classes are the perfect mix of pandemic but fun! Each guest will get to choose the type of project and design they would like to create. Get everyone in the office involved – from small office parties of five all the way up to 50! Create a DIY project, everyone will be so proud of. The party can be set during business hours or after. Schedule your Virtual Team Building with AR Workshop Asheville asheville@arworkshop.com If your team feels comfortable, they are also offering in-person classes of 4-15.
Happenings
North Carolina Stage Company is back with their next production, The Book Club Play by Karen Zacarías, live on Zoom, this upcoming March. In this story, Ana is a Type A personality who lives in a letter-perfect world with an adoring husband, the perfect job, and her greatest passion: Book Club. When her cherished group becomes the focus of a documentary film, their previously predictable discussions turn into pandemonium in front of the inescapable camera lens. Every performance will take place live on Zoom with actors performing the play from their homes, in some cases from other states. “Theatre is often described as a collaborative art form,” says Charlie Flynn-McIver, artistic director of NC Stage and director of The Book Club Play. “And that collaboration includes the audience. So we wanted to do something that was live and immediate with a sense of risk. You can’t get that with a recording.” Mar. 3 – Mar. 21, Wednesdays – Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. & Sundays at 2 p.m. TICKETS: $25 | ncstage.org | 828-239-0263
The Folk Heritage Committee is delighted to announce it will re-stream last summer’s 93rd Annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival® on February 11-21, 2021. Because of state, county and city COVID-19 restrictions on mass gatherings, the Folk Heritage Committee encourages you to join online for a unique celebration of this long-standing traditional event. www.folkheritage.org