“Take our hands, work through them. Take our lips, speak through them. Take our minds, think through them. Take our hearts, set them on fire.”

ABCCM | Asheville Crisis Ministry

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.

Filling the Gaps for Families in Need

Over 28,343 served in 2021

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 Daily Bread @ Sonrise

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. 

The Crisis Ministry serves more than 21,254 hot meals last year to members of our community.

Help Kids Going Back to School

We are here to help in these times and invite those who have needs to visit the Crisis Ministry closest to them

Volunteer Needs

Receptionist/Front Desk
  • Answer phone & greet visitors
  • Charting & Data entry
Food Pantry/Soup Kitchen
  • 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

Staff Spotlight

 
 
 
 

Locations With Needs


 
Crisis Ministry

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 – Monday AM, Tuesday AM & PM, Wednesday AM & PM, Thursday PM, Friday AM & PM
ABCCM Daily Bread – Sonrise, located on 1543 Patton Ave. – Monday – Thursdays 11:30AM-1PM

Hominy Valley Crisis Ministry

Receptionist – Tuesday PM, Thursday AM
Counselors – All Shifts available (Mon-Fri 8:30AM-12:30PM or 12:30PM-4:30PM)
Clothing – Monday AM & PM, Tuesday PM, Thursday AM & PM and Friday AM & PM
PantryAll Shifts available (Mon-Fri 8:30AM-12:30PM or 12:30PM-4:30PM)

South Crisis Ministry

Receptionist – Monday AM, Tuesday AM, Wednesday AM, Thursday AM, Friday AM
Counselor – Tuesday PM, Thursday PM, Friday AM & PM
Data Entry – All shifts
Pantry – Monday AM, Wednesday AM, Friday AM & PM
Clothing – Monday AM, Tuesday AM

North Samaritan Crisis Ministry

Counselors – Wednesday, Thursday & Friday

Donations Ministry

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

Sorters* – 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
Sales Team* – 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

  • 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
  • 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
WHAT ARE YOU CALLED TO DO?

Volunteer Opportunities

Needs including: Receptionists Data entry, Counselors, Food pantry, Clothing

Contact one of our Crisis Locations

Mary Messarra, Director

Crisis Ministry

24 Cumberland Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 259-5300 (P) | (828) 259-5307 (F)
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Mary MessarraDirector

South Crisis Ministry

10 Buck Shoals Rd
Arden, NC 28704
(828) 259-5302 (P) | (828) 684-9825 (F)
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Allen PoundersCoordinator

Hominy Valley Crisis Ministry

1914 Smokey Park Hwy
Candler, NC 28715
(828) 259-5301 (P) | (828) 670-1220 (F)
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
John MendenhallCoordinator

North Samaritan Crisis Ministry

403 Weaverville Hwy
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 259-5303 (P) | (828) 259-5313 (F)
Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sheryl OlsenSenior Crisis Coordinator

Safe & Warm Emergency Hotline 828-398-6011

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