ABCCM CRISIS MINISTRY

When grocery shopping this month remember those who can’t afford groceries and buy 2 of your favorite non-perishable items, one for you, and one for someone hungry. Join us for ABCCM’s March Against Hunger Food Drive

Help Kids Going Back to School

Over 14,500 served in 2019.

ABCCM’s Crisis Ministries fill the gaps for families who cannot make ends meet mostly by providing food and clothes.  Nutritious emergency food boxes/bags along with clothing and blankets help meet basic necessities.   Emergency utility and rental assistance funds help keep the lights and water on and prevent families from eviction.

Our Crisis Ministry has responded and is following the guidelines and protocols set forth by the Center for Disease Control, state and local governments for Covid-19. We have implemented these safe methods for responding to the needs of our neighbors at all four of our Crisis Ministry sites. Our operating hours remain the same and we are conducting our intake process via phone. We are continuing to serve the needs for financial assistance, food, clothing, furniture and household appliances. Our Downtown lunch site has transitioned to Our Daily Bread at Sonrise, 1543 Patton Ave. To-Go meals are served from 11:30 am - 1 pm Monday - Friday. We encourage people to eat offsite to avoid congregating. The Crisis Ministry serves more than 21,254 hot meals last year to members of our community.

We are here to help in these times and invite those who have needs to go to the Crisis Ministry closest to them; or, click “NEED HELP?” and enter your information. Someone will follow up with you soon.

Ministering to families in crisis

Many of our neighbors live paycheck to paycheck, making difficult choices on a daily basis between rent, utilities, food, health care, day care and so much more.

An unexpected expense can throw these families into financial crises. When that happens, people turn to the ABCCM Crisis Ministry for help. This ministry serves the low-income citizens of Buncombe County who are facing financial emergencies and are struggling to meet life's basic needs.

Each day we see people who are working in one or more low-wage jobs, the disabled or elderly who are living on fixed incomes, and those facing increasing costs of living, stagnant wages and a lack of affordable housing. We provide them with food boxes, gently used clothing, utility and rental assistance; and a hot meal at our soup kitchen located on 1543 Patton Ave. With your support we will help ensure our families can provide a home for their children.

TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) is American-grown food given to supplement the diets of low-income people. To participate one must provide name, household size, either receive FNS benefits or qualify by income. All information is self-declared, kept confidential, and won't be shared. No ID or documentation is required to receive TEFAP.

TEFAP distribution days are below;

North Samaritan Crisis Ministry - Monday - Friday from 10AM-2PM

South Crisis Ministry - Monday - Friday from 8:30AM-4:30PM

Hominy Valley Crisis Ministry - Thursdays from 8:30AM -4:30PM

Opportunities to serve

Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry
Sort and organize food on shelves
Prepare "nutritional" food bags for families according to the guidelines
Assist with keeping things clean and orderly
Help prepare soup and sandwiches to feed hungry people (1543 Patton Ave.)
Help carry in donations

Clothing Room
Assist clients in finding needed clothing
Organize the clothing on hangers and shelves
Help identify clothing items needed for restocking
Sort usable off-season and out-of-style clothing from usable items

Counselor
Interview clients to assess their needs and determine possible solutions to their crisis
Act as a referral source and work with other community agencies to provide services to clients
Update client information

Receptionist/Greeter (Donation Warehouse*)

Answer the phone, greet donors, receive items, issue receipts. 9 am to 4 pm M-F

Sorters (Donation Warehouse*)

Sort the variety of items given to the ministry on a daily basis, such as household goods, antiques, clothes, shoes, appliances. 9 am to 12 pm M_F

Warehouse Sales Team (Donation Warehouse*)

The sales team would need to be available to receive donations for items at warehouse sales or through antique store-hours are various, not an every day situation, once or twice a week

*We do not want the volunteer to lift items beyond their ability so we will have a warehouse staff person available to assist.

Volunteer Opportunities Shift Hours: AM=8:30am-12:30pm PM=12:30-4:30pm

Cumberland Crisis

Receptionist/Front Desk - Monday AM (except 1st Mondays), Tuesday PM, Wednesday AM, Thursday AM & PM, Friday AM & PM
Counselor - All Shifts Needed
Pantry - Monday AM, Tuesday AM, Wednesday AM, Thursday AM, Friday AM
Clothing Room - Monday AM, Tuesday AM & PM, Wednesday AM & PM, Thursday PM, Friday AM & PM
ABCCM Daily Bread at Sonrise located on 1543 Patton Ave. Monday – Thursdays 11:30AM-1PM

Hominy Crisis

Receptionist - Tuesday PM
Counselors - Thursday PM
Clothing - Monday AM & PM, Tuesday PM, Wednesday AM & PM, Thursday AM & PM and Friday AM & PM
Pantry - Thursday PM, Friday AM & PM  

South Crisis

Receptionist/Front Desk - Monday AM & PM, Tuesday AM & PM, Wednesday PM, Thursday AM & PM, Friday AM & PM
Counselor - Monday PM, Tuesday PM, Wednesday PM, Thursday AM & PM, Friday AM & PM
Data Entry - All Shifts Needed
Pantry - Monday PM, Tuesday AM & PM, Wednesday AM & PM, Thursday AM & PM, Friday PM
Clothing - All Shifts Needed

North Crisis

Receptionist/Front Desk – Shift day & time will vary based on need 
Counselors – Wednesday & Thursday
Clothing Room – Thursday    

Food Needs
Chicken (canned)
Tuna & salmon (canned)
Fruits (canned)
Meats (canned)
Hearty soups (canned)
Vegetables (canned)
Cooking oil (vegetable)
Fresh seasonal fruits
Hot & cold cereal
Jelly
Peanut Butter
Juices
Pasta & pasta sauce
Self-rising flour
Sugar

Clothing & Hygiene Needs

Shampoo/conditioner
Deodorant
Toothpaste & Toothbrush
Soap
Blankets
Men’s Shirts (all sizes)
Women’s & Men's underwear
Men’s Pants (32, 34, 36)
Winter gloves

Contact One of our Crisis Locations

crisis@abccm.org
Mary Messarra, Director