Ways to get involved:
The core mission at 12 Baskets is transformation through community, and the food, while important in itself, is seen as a means to bringing people from all walks of life to the table. This way we are able to connect and form friendships with people we may otherwise not have the chance to. In the process stereotypes break down, gaps are bridged, and compassion, mutual aid, and love are cultivated. We say all that to emphasize that the 'volunteer' role is not traditional in the sense that we try to blur the line between 'volunteers' and people who come to eat or get groceries. So it is equally important that while we are there as 'volunteers' that we take time to meet people, socialize, and grab something to eat.
Cafe Help
We serve hot lunch as well as operate a grocery store out of our community cafe Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 - 1 pm. If you would like to volunteer during that time we encourage you to come to a new volunteer orientation Thursday morning. If that doesn't work for your schedule please send our cafe coordinator an email (aaron@ashevillepovertyinitiative.org) or come pitch in around 10:30 am. We function like a cafe/restaurant so you would help by casually waiting on tables, helping with dishes, or helping in our free grocery store. There is always time for you to sit down to eat and meet people yourself as well!
Food Pickups
Another essential need at 12 Baskets Café is actually getting the food to the café safely and timely. We have a schedule of food pickups from grocery stores, restaurants and markets. Some of our food partners include, Whole Foods, Earthfare, Mela, Food Connection, Asheville Pro Kitchen, Givens Estate, and more! You can sign up to help with that here!
Community outreach
Are you intrested in doing community outreach with 12 Baskets? Every other week we will be at the West Asheville Tailgate Market (718 Haywood Road) and we can use your help! The market is open from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. We will need help with setup and breakdown of our booth, helping with our weekly activity, well as community outreach and spending time with the community. You can sign up here to help!
While the Café is where we can use the most hands on work we are always looking for community members with all skills and gifts. Some help needed can include; social media management, food connections, filming and editing skills, artistic talents, etc. Also, word of mouth is one of our greatest tools. If you love what we are doing here, share it with a friend!
Orientation for new volunteers:
Join us on Thursday mornings at 10:00 am for an orientation session specifically designed for those new to volunteering at 12 Baskets Café. 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.
Internships
If you are interested in an internship with us, please reach out to contact@ashevillepovertyinitiative.org. We host 1-3 internships at any given time, and are thrilled to partner with students and other organizations.
