Food insecurity is a chronic problem in Avery County and the surrounding area.
- Approximately 3,000 (17%) of Avery County residents experience some degree of uncertainty about their next meal during the year.
- This includes between 750 and 1,000 children.
- Current programs reach less than 32% of those in need.
Feeding Avery Families is committed addressing food insecurity through a variety of Food Distribution and Community Outreach programs.
How Feeding Avery Families Addresses Food Insecurity
During 2024, FAF
- Provided $1.4 million worth of free food to our hungry neighbors in Avery County and surrounding areas with weekly on site and mobile food distributions.
- Food costs averaged only 17 cents per individual meal.
- Served an average of 545 families (1,489 individuals) each month
- Provided each family with 80+ pounds of food including boxes of groceries, frozen meats, produce, bread, desserts, and more.
- Distributed 127,427 pounds of fresh produce to promote healthier eating habits.
During Hurricane Helene Recovery
- Our food distribution increased 92%.
- The new Operations Center, designed for serving the community during a natural disaster, quickly adapted with expanded hours and the ability to meet urgent needs while receiving the overwhelming influx of donations.
- FAF provided household items including cleaning materials, diapers, heaters, coats, socks – along with countless bottles of water.
- FAF passed along thousands of pounds of donations and delivered many van loads of groceries to fire departments, churches and other groups cooking for both residents and visiting workers.
Special Holiday Programs
- Provided 700 Thanksgiving turkey boxes and 500 Christmas ham boxes with all the trimmings.
- Gave gift cards to grocery stores and other businesses.
Ways You Can Help
- Support FAF through financial donations.
- Volunteer your time and talents.
- Partner with FAF through sharing of your resources.
- Get involved through food drives, fund raisers and events.
- Share information about FAF with your friends and neighbors to help us reach those in need.
Thank you to the following organizations for supporting us with grants to feed local families.