If your community group would like to add your community-focused event or volunteer opportunity to our monthly listing for January, email [email protected] with the date and time and a link to more information. For concerts and other cultural events, email [email protected].
Throughout the month
12 Baskets Cafe
Share in the bounty of rescued food. Open to everyone.
Tuesdays & Fridays 11-1 pm, to-go meals & groceries
Mondays & Thursdays 11-1 pm, sit-down meals
More info: ashevillepovertyinitiative.org
Steady Collective Mobile Needle Exchange
Tuesdays 2:45-4 pm East AVL: 381 Swannanoa River Rd
Wednesdays 10 am-12:30 pm Downtown: 271 Haywood St
Thursdays 2-5 p.m. West AVL: 265 State St
More info: thesteadycollective.org
Youth Outright Galaxy Meetups on Discord
Galaxy Meetups are drop-in spaces for young queer & trans folks to be in community with one another. Prior to joining weekly programming, youth must complete an intake form.
Middle/High School (Ages 11-18), Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5-7 p.m.
Young Adults (Ages 18-24), Wednesdays 5-7 p.m.
Email [email protected] to receive the intake form and get connected to the Discord server.
Black Wall Street Sunday Brunch
All are welcome!
Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
Black Wall Street Building, 8 River Arts Place
More info & tickets: blackwallstreetavl.godaddysites.com
Black Wall Street AVL is also seeking nominations of Outstanding Elders for the Black Wall Street Legacy Award. The nomination period ends December 15.
BeLoved Asheville Toy Drive
Bring unwrapped toys to the donation center Tues-Sat between 11-1. Local organizations are invited to organize a toy drive, BeLoved will design flyers and provide collection boxes.
BeLoved Donation Center, 32 Old Charlotte Hwy
More info: @belovedasheville on Instagram
City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA) Applications Open
Sophomores & juniors in high school are invited to apply for this paid internship program. The program takes place over the summer months and places the students in paid internships in the field of their choice. Upon completion of the program, students are awarded a $2,000 scholarship to go towards their college education. Applications are open until January 15, 2024.
For more information: ashevillenc.gov or contact Promise Boseman at [email protected]
Asheville Greenworks Weekly Nursery Workdays
First through third Tuesdays of each month, 10-12 p.m.
Prune, pot, water, label and otherwise care for the next generation of Asheville’s neighborhood trees.
Sand Hill Tree Nursery, 24 Apac Dr.
More information and register at ashevillegreenworks.org
This Month’s Events
Thurs, Dec 7, 5-7 p.m.
The Beacon Network Town Square
Beacon is a nonprofit social network mainly focused on local direct action and mutual aid efforts, especially those concerning social and environmental justice. Beacon offers regular publications and virtual communication tools to amplify community actions.
Great Wild Nowhere Bar, 122 Riverside Drive
More info: thebeaconnetwork.org
Thurs, Dec 7, 5:30 p.m.
Youth OUTright Public Comment on SB 49 AKA “Don’t Say Gay”
Youth OUTright invites the public to join them in making public comment on SB 49 at the Buncombe County School District Meeting.
175 Bingham Road
More info: @youth.outright on Instagram
Thurs, Dec 7, 10-11 a.m.
Understanding Homelessness-Causes & Local Landscape
The City of AVL’s Community & Economic Development Dept invites you to attend an upcoming 3-part community education series on understanding homelessness. This is part 1.
Stephens-Lee Community Center, 30 George Washington Carver Avenue
More info & register: https://publicinput.com/r0686
Questions? Email: [email protected] or call 828-203-0892
Thurs, Dec 7, 6-9 p.m.
Just Economics Annual Celebration
An evening to celebrate the work of Just Economics and the community that supports it. Open to all, with drinks, dinner, games, prizes and live music.
Habitat for Humanity Event Space, 33 Meadow Rd
More info: justeconomicswnc.org
Sat, Dec 9, 1-5 p.m.
P.E.A.C.E. Team Family Day of Action & Remembrance
No Questions Asked Gun Buy Back, 1-3 p.m.
Family fun, food, and community healing.
3 Hunt Hill Place
More info: Contact Jacquelyn Lake at [email protected] or 828-318-7714
Sun, Dec 10, 12-2 p.m.
Ceasefire Postcard Writing
This postcard writing pop-up invites community members to connect and write to their congressional representatives to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
Firestorm Books, 1022 Haywood Rd.
More info: firestorm.coop
Sun, Dec 10, 2-3 p.m.
Asheville Community Bail Fund Volunteer Orientation
This is an interest meeting for people who want to plug into the Asheville Community Bail Fund. The Fund helps post bail for people who are incarcerated in the Buncombe County Jail. We will explain how cash bail works, how the bail fund operates, and how you can get involved.
Firestorm Books, 1022 Haywood Rd.
More info: https://avlcommunitybail.carrd.co/
Mon, Dec 11, 10-11 a.m.
Understanding Solutions to Homelessness-Community Response, Present & Future
The City of AVL’s Community & Economic Development Dept invites you to attend an upcoming 3-part community education series on understanding homelessness. This is part 2.
Stephens-Lee Community Center, 30 George Washington Carver Avenue
Pre-registration encouraged.
More info & register: https://publicinput.com/r0686
Questions? Email: [email protected] or call 828-203-0892
Tues, Dec 12, 1-3 p.m.
Asheville Poverty Initiative Technology Tuesday
Jensen from Asheville Digital Lifestyle will be providing tech support & teaching for computers, smartphones, tablets, etc.
12 Baskets Cafe, 610 Haywood Rd
More info: ashevillepovertyinitiative.org
Weds, Dec 13, 6-7 p.m.
Flames of Antifascist Resistance
An amulet making and candle lighting event for the seventh night of Hanukkah 5784 based on diasporic Jewish traditions. All welcome!
Firestorm Books, 1022 Haywood Rd.
More info: firestorm.coop
Weds, Dec 13, 4-6 p.m.
Youth OUTright HoliGAY Party
Queer & trans youth 11-18 are invited for games and food.
The Nerd Dungeon, 505 New Leicester Hwy
More info: @youth.outright on Instagram
RSVP: givebutter.com/holigay2023
Thurs, Dec 14, 6-8 p.m.
Asheville Tool Library Volunteer Training Night
If you can commit to at least 2 shifts per month for a few months, you are invited to the monthly volunteer meeting. Fill out an application ahead of time to get the handbook, and read the handbook before training night.
16 Smith Mill Rd
More info: ashevilletoollibrary.org
Sun, Dec 17, 1-3 p.m.
Asheville Prison Books Packaging Party
Asheville Prison Books (APB) is a volunteer-run collective which has distributed free reading material to people incarcerated in North and South Carolina since 1999. The group meets monthly on the 3rd Sundays of the month to package books and welcome new members.
Firestorm Books, 1022 Haywood Rd., confirm @avlprisonbooks on Instagram
More info: avlpb.org
Mon, Dec 18, 10-11 a.m.
Personal Response to Homelessness-How to partner with local agencies and take action
The City of AVL’s Community & Economic Development Dept invites you to attend an upcoming 3-part community education series on understanding homelessness. This is part 3.
Stephens-Lee Community Center, 30 George Washington Carver Avenue
More info & register: https://publicinput.com/r0686
Questions? Email: [email protected] or call 828-203-0892
Weds Dec 20, 5:30-10 p.m.
Black Wall Street Holiday Jam
Music, soul food, and networking event.
Black Wall Street Building, 8 River Arts Place
More info: @blackwallstreetavl on Instagram
Thurs, Dec 21, 1-2 p.m.
Just Economics Affordable Housing Working Group Meeting
The Affordable Housing Strategy Team is a monthly meeting of advocates for affordable housing in WNC meeting on zoom every 3rd Thursday of the month. To be added to the call, email [email protected]
More info: justeconomicswnc.org
Thurs, Dec 21, 2-3 p.m.
Blue Christmas Celebration at Trinity United Methodist Church
A longest night service addressing the difficulties of the holiday season. Join neighbors at noon for a sit down meal at 12 Baskets Cafe before the service.
587 Haywood Rd
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