API and Racial Equity: Spiral of Transformative Change

Community Workshop

This session will help you practice using a racial equity analysis in your work. You will look at how Asheville Poverty Initiative deals with power, privilege, and oppression, considering your roles as a bystander, interrupter, and colluder.

Facilitated by: Spiral Path Consulting

Wednesday, August 21 from 1-3 PM

Located @ 12 Baskets Cafe - 610B Haywood Rd.

Food and Snacks provided!

Sign up here!

Introducing Westival!

Fundraiser to celebrate West Asheville food and community

A new event showcasing West Asheville food will occur at Archetype Brewing on Saturday, September 28, from 4-8 pm. “Westival” is a fundraiser for 12 Baskets Cafe and the work of Asheville Poverty Initiative (API), and will allow participants to sample from over 10 West Asheville-based food businesses.

“There is so much to celebrate about West Asheville,” said Ben Williamson, Executive Director of API, which operates 12 Baskets Cafe at 610 Haywood Road. “We wanted to design an affordable, casual event that highlighted the many exceptional food businesses we are surrounded by, as well as the amazing sense of community that exists,” Williamson said. Besides access to the food, Westival will include a DJ, information tables, a raffle, and other activities.

“12 Baskets Cafe serves without judgment,” said Tony Franco, Owner and Executive Chef at Food Experience. “Their focus is on the simple task of filling people’s bellies with an extended hand of love. It’s a clear, unambiguous effort to ease suffering, and anything we do to help is appreciated and accepted as well. We love working with 12 Baskets!” said Franco.


A $35 ticket gets you access to the event and unlimited food from local participating chefs. A $55 ticket also includes a t-shirt.

A food experience for the West of Us

Celebrating Local Food & Building Community in West Asheville

A fundraiser for Asheville Poverty Initiative

LOCATION: Archetype Brewery - 265 Haywood Rd

DATE: SATURDAY, September 28, 2024

TIME: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

What to expect:

  • Food from WAVL

  • music

  • neighbors

  • fun

  • independent businesses

  • casual

  • inexpensive

  • inclusive

  • small plates

The Return of 4 Cafe Meals a week!

As many remember, 12 Baskets Cafe used to offer sit-down meals five days a week. COVID forced us to pantry days. We have heard from the community a desire for more sit-down days, but we also recognize the benefit of grocery days.

Recently, our friends at Salvation Army opened a food pantry just down the street at 750 Haywood Road. We’ve been working with them to refer our pantry operations there. This could mean community members would have access to both sit-down and pantry days each day of the week!

We will run a trial week of this arrangement from Monday, June 3 to Friday, June 7. 12 Baskets Cafe will be open for sit-down meals on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11a-1p. We will not do pantry days that week. Salvation Army will be open for pantry access on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9a-2:30p and Friday from 9a-1p.

We will see how things go that week and make a decision on our schedule moving forward. We are excited to build this new partnership!

We are starting New Volunteer Orientation!

ORIENTATION FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS:

Join us on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am for an orientation with our Executive Director Dr. Ben Williamson. Ben will lead an orientation session specifically designed for those new to volunteering at 12 Baskets Cafe. Learn about our mission, the impact we make, and how you can play a crucial role in serving the community. Following the orientation, new volunteers will have the opportunity to immediately apply their knowledge during a volunteer shift from 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM. This is a hands-on experience to actively contribute to our mission of addressing poverty and fostering a sense of community.

We've also built in time for new volunteers to enjoy lunch with their neighbors. It's not just about serving others but fostering connections within the community. We'll explore how our work at the café directly addresses poverty and builds the foundation for a Beloved Community. You can sign up here for our next orientation.

Art Meet Up

Thursday @ 1:00 pm in the 12 Baskets Cafe Garden

Join Julia from TrueJay Studio for a community art meet-up.

Some paper and donated supplies will be available for all to use but please bring any supplies you want to use or even some to share!

Julia will guide you in a prompt and collaboration in the beautiful garden space next to the cafe.

Divine's Drag Cabaret is a fundraiser for Asheville Poverty Initiative

30 days, mark your calendar! Thursday May 18th at 7pm, an outrageous drag show at Highland Brewing Company like Asheville has never seen! Divine's Drag Cabaret is a fundraiser for Asheville Poverty Initiative. Featuring world-class performances by drag royalty: Alexis, Diamond, Divine, and Natasha. Ages 21 and up. Tickets at www.highlandbrewing.com

Asheville Poverty Initiative has a mission is to build community and promote economic justice by dismantling stereotypes, reducing fear, and empowering hope through telling stories across socio-economic difference. They envision a beloved community that celebrates mutuality, abundance, and justice.

Divine’s Drag Cabaret is one of the most unique party experiences in Asheville. In fact, it’s the area’s only true “La Cage” drag show experience often featuring live singing and flashy Vegas-style costumes.

“We create a party from the moment you walk in the door with our unique brand of world-class drag entertainment that transports every guest to a fabulous world full of glitz, glamour, and great fun,” says show host Divine.

You’ll laugh and sing along with stellar drag performances to classic and modern music hits. Flirty performers will ensure you’ll have a blast. It’s a barrel of fun!
Divine’s Drag Cabaret productions are perfect for bachelor/ette parties, birthday parties, a fun night out, or just to see an amazing drag show in town!

Can't make it but still want to help us? DONATE HERE (https://buytickets.at/beardedladyproductions/839554)! All profits from our events are donated to over 15 local non-profits including Beloved Asheville, Blue Ridge Pride, Healing Solutions Counseling, Loving Food Resources, Open Hearts Arts, Make a Wish Foundation, OUR Voice, Youth OUTright, and more.

Mountain Xpress Best of Asheville

Hey Asheville community! We need your help to get 12 Baskets Café on the Mountain Xpress "Best of Asheville" guide for 2023!

The ballot is live now and open through April 30th. We would greatly appreciate your support by voting for us in the following categories:

  • Uniquely Asheville:

    • Nonprofit that Serves the Underprivileged

    • Nonprofit that Improves Asheville

  • Eats:

    • Nonprofit Helping with Hunger Issues

  • Farm, Yard, & Garden:

    • Community Garden

Your vote can make a big difference in helping us continue our mission of serving the underprivileged and addressing hunger issues in our community. Simply click on the link below to cast your vote:

https://mountainx.com/bestofwnc/

Thank you for your support! #BestofAsheville #Vote12BasketsCafe #CommunityNonprofit #UniquelyAsheville

Beer City Sisters Visit 12 Baskets Café

Shout out to the @beercitysisters for not only coming to help serve today at the Café but also the very generous donation. Y'all are welcome back anytime! Please give them a follow, to see what they are all about! The sisters are doing amazing things all around Asheville.🌈

If this inspires you or your organization and you want to get involved we would love to have you! Email us at contact@ashevillepovertyinitiative.org or check out our website for more ways to get involved.