More Ways to Help Western NC
We are moved by the swift action across this state to support our fellow North Carolinians, and want to share a few ways our community can help. There have been strides in returning cell service, but many are still without water and power. Recovery in this area will be a long process, but vital due to the tourism-economy in the area.
World Central Kitchen
Videri chose to donate to World Central Kitchen in order to bring essential water and food to the area. WCK is utilizing water tanker trucks that can deliver up to 100,000 gallons of water a day. They are also partnering with local restaurants and food trucks to bring hot meals to those in need in Tennessee and North Carolina. Thankfully, WCK has access to two helicopters that bring food to those that are stranded– the last mile of distribution is typically by ATV, truck or by foot!
Photo Courtesy of World Central Kitchen
Southern Smoke Foundation
The Asheville area is known to be one of the most popular hospitality hubs in North Carolina. With 12.5 million visitors per year*, there needs to be a bustling hospitality industry to support tourism–to the tune of nearly 40,000 hospitality jobs in the area**.
Anyone with experience in the food service industry understands that even in normal times this work is tenuous in terms of benefits and security. Without critical infrastructure in the region, most of these jobs have gone on a hopefully temporary hiatus. Thankfully, Southern Smoke Foundation is providing Emergency Relief for food and beverage workers affected by this disaster. We urge any hospitality folx to apply for relief, and for those of us that can give, please do so!
Videri Chocolate Factory will be donating a portion of our retail sales to the Southern Smoke Foundation in December of 2024.
Logo Courtesy of Southern Smoke Foundation
Physical Donations at Black & White Cafe
If you’d like to donate physical items, there’s room for that too! Our friends at Black & White are accepting donations at their location in Wake Forest (314 Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC) Wednesday through Friday during open hours (7am - 6pm). Any barista can point you towards the delivery area.
Current Request:
Water Bottles, Water Jugs, Non-Perishable Food Items, Canned Food (that does not require a can opener), Baby Formula, Feminine Napkins, Toothbrush & Toothpaste, Diapers and Baby Wipes, Hand Sanitizer
Logo Courtesey of Black & White Coffee Roasters
Physical Donations & GoFundMe — Botanist and Barrel
Our friends at Botanist & Barrel are taking donations up to the Asheville Area on a weekly basis. Needs have shifted to tools (to help rebuild), PPE, 5-gallon potable water containers and 5-gallon buckets. Please take all physical donations to the blue bin near the farmstand located at 105 Persimmon Hill Lane Cedar Grove, NC 27231. There are also Botanist & Barrel employees directly affected by the devastation—and they have set up a GoFundMe to provide immediate relief.