WELCOME FROM HAYWOOD STREET:
UPDATES:
Did you know 12 Bones BBQ is participating in our “At Home With Miss Mary’s Meatloaf” fundraiser?! These folks have supported the Downtown Welcome Table, in a myriad of ways, for years and we couldn’t be more grateful to have them on board for this inaugural event.
CLICK to hear the how and why of this community partner restaurant.
Haywood Street’s Community Residency program is designed to equip mission-minded individuals for effective and transformative ministry WITH the poor. Learn more about this position and apply here!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
2. Pastor Brian will be on the HSCD proposed housing site (339 W. Haywood Street) this Sunday at 1:00 to meet with anyone who wishes to see the property or ask questions. All housing updates can be viewed via our Transparency Tracker.
3. We are now accepting clothing closet donations 10-12 on BOTH Tuesdays and Thursdays.
4. Outdoor Bible study with Pastor Jody: Sundays @ 11:15
COMPANION CORNER:
Sign up to provide a meal for Respite here
Please remember we are asking folks to wear masks both inside and out while being with the community as a companion. We have masks available if needed.
Additionally, we’re asking all companions to wear name tags while serving. Thanks!
A HAYWOOD STREET ASK:
Each Wednesday and Sunday we rejoice as our friends enjoy their home-style warm meal from the Downtown Welcome Table. The Welcome Table is about more than just food. These meals are also about connecting with friends or resting in a safe openhearted place. They provide an opportunity to obtain clean clothes and connect with needed resources, or worship with the gathered community.
Yet, the Downtown Welcome Table is also very much about food.
Weekly, we prepare and serve more than 1,100 meals. Hot meals such as pulled pork with Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce, smashed potatoes, squash casserole and Sister Schubert dinner rolls. The number of meals has increased in the past year and half, and at this time we don’t see the need or number of meals decreasing. What we do see is the cost of food increasing at an unexpected and unbudgeted rate.
Our monthly food costs are 20% higher than last year. On average, each case of beans, eggs, or onions costs $6 more than it did a year ago. These unforeseen increases don’t even take into consideration the continued expense of take-out boxes (due to Covid variants we are still serving outside) until we can once again serve food on plates and sit around tables together in our dining room.
If you can, please help by donating to this special Downtown Welcome Table appeal to cover the gap during this time of unexpected increase in food expenses.
Friends know that there is always enough for them to have their fill at Haywood Street’s Downtown Welcome Table. This is as it should be, for five loaves and two fishes can feed five thousand. Haywood Street—with your generosity—can feed Asheville’s hungry.
Gratefully,
Laura Kirby
Executive Director
