News Summary
Asheville City Schools will offer free breakfast and lunch to all students in the upcoming school year, ensuring no child goes hungry. The initiative, in partnership with Chartwells, is part of the Community Eligibility Provision, allowing all enrolled students under 18 to receive meals at no cost. Additionally, a summer meals program is currently in place. Community organizations are also providing support to residents affected by Tropical Storm Helene, distributing food and water to those in need.
Asheville City Schools to Provide Free Meals to All Students This Upcoming School Year
Asheville – Asheville City Schools has announced that starting this upcoming school year, all students will receive free breakfast and lunch. This initiative, made possible through the partnership with Chartwells, is part of the Community Eligibility Provision program, which enables all students under the age of 18 enrolled in the school district to receive up to two meals at no cost.
The school district plans to release more information regarding the specifics of the free meal program in the near future. This initiative aims to ensure that no student goes hungry and can focus on their education without the worry of meal costs.
Free Summer Meals Program
In addition to the upcoming school year’s meal offerings, Asheville City Schools recently launched a summer meals program. This program will continue every Wednesday until August 13, allowing students to access nutritious meals during the summer break.
Support for Tropical Storm Helene Affected Residents
Residents affected by Tropical Storm Helene in Western North Carolina are receiving support from various organizations providing free food distribution. Water distribution sites have been set up at Pack Square Park and Lucy Herring Elementary, urging residents to bring their own containers. Water will be distributed in Buncombe County from 12 PM to 4 PM, with each person allowed a maximum of two gallons, and families can receive up to five gallons.
Food and water distribution will also take place at multiple locations, including William W. Estes Elementary School, Sand Hill Elementary, North Windy Ridge Intermediate School, Fairview Elementary, and Ingles on NC 9 in Black Mountain. Each of these sites will provide meals ready-to-eat (MREs), with limits set at two per adult and one per child per day.
A boil water advisory is currently in effect in Buncombe County, and residents are advised to boil water for one minute before consumption to ensure safety.
Community Involvement
Local grocery stores, restaurants, and churches, such as Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ and Tupelo Honey, are participating in the relief effort by providing daily free meals and water to those in need. Additionally, World Central Kitchen, organized by chef José Andrés, is set to start offering meals on September 30 at Bear’s Smokehouse and other necessary locations.
Hearts with Hands, a local organization, is also active in the community, distributing food boxes and water from 10 AM to 6 PM on Mondays at their Swannanoa warehouse. They plan to introduce hot meal distribution as well to further assist those affected by the storm.
MANNA, another local organization, is accepting donations of food, water, and supplies, with a focus on shelf-stable foods and baby items. Donation hours are scheduled from 8 AM to 12 PM from October 2-5, 2024, and the distribution of collected items will occur from 1 PM to 4 PM.
This initiative under Asheville City Schools marks a significant step towards addressing food insecurity among students, while community organizations are working diligently to support those impacted by the recent natural disaster. The collaborative efforts from various sectors of the community illustrate a strong commitment to ensuring that residents have access to essential resources during these challenging times.
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Additional Resources
- WLOS: Asheville City Schools to Provide Free Meals
- USA Today: Asheville Food Relief Initiatives
- Mountain X: Ongoing Updates on Food and Water Distribution
- Google Search: Asheville City Schools Free Meals
- CNN: Residents Helping Helene Victims
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
