While there is optimism that the COVID-19 pandemic may be controlled in 2021, the economic hardship caused by this unprecedented time will continue to impact our neighbors in need for a long, long time. As the nation’s top infectious disease experts are reporting as we send this out, the threat of continued illness from the coronavirus is still with us.
Local residents continue to struggle to feed their families, pay their rent or mortgage so they can stay in their home, pay household bills like utilities and heating fuel, buy gasoline for their vehicles and clothing for growing children.
To help meet these growing needs, IAM is launching our 2021 COVID Challenge and is asking our generous supporters to help us meet the rising tide of need in Henderson County.
Your heartfelt contribution to IAM will make an extraordinary difference in the lives of those who are struggling — right now when they need it the most. Thank you for sharing your stimulus check refunds, tax returns and other funds to help local residents who are burdened by the intense stresses of living in a constant state of desperate need.
Thank you for your continued and compassionate contributions!
Welcome Diana Spitzer!
We are excited to announce that Diana Spitzer has joined IAM as our new Executive Assistant. Diana’s professional experience and passion for IAM’s mission make her an excellent addition to our team.
Most recently she served as church secretary at Mills River United Methodist Church. Prior to that, she spent three years working as an administrative associate for United Way of Henderson County and comes highly rated by her former boss and our good friend, Ruth Birge.
Welcome, Diana!
Heartfelt Thanks To
WNC Bridge Foundation
IAM is grateful to the WNC Bridge Foundation’s generous support during the continuing coronavirus pandemic. WNC Bridge Foundation awarded IAM a $48,000 IMPACT grant, Thriving to Provide Essential Services, to help pay for operating costs for our Social Services Department.
We also received a $4,000 COVID-19 Response grant that helped IAM pay for the increased needs for crisis services during these difficult times when so many lost jobs or had work hours cut back or lost pay through illness.
On behalf of the more than 26,000 service touches IAM provided in 2020 to feed hungry families, clothe them, keep the power and water on and a roof over their heads, thank you WNC Bridge Foundation!
The very best way to help is to make a financial donation to IAM.
Because we purchase in bulk and often receive generous discounts from our vendors, your dollars can go even further when you make a direct contribution to IAM. Every dollar you provide helps IAM purchase food for four meals from MANNA FoodBank, our Feeding America partner.
However you choose to donate, please know that we are very grateful for the care and concern you show for our Henderson County neighbors facing unprecedented financial challenges.
Or mail your check to: IAM | PO Box 2562 | Hendersonville, NC 28793
Thank You!
Thank You…
IAM was thrilled to receive a donation of new linens collected by the seven campuses of Biltmore Church! All the items are new and include 500 towels, 1,350 washcloths, 40 blankets and 200 pillows. Thank you, Biltmore Church. What a blessing!
Thanks to the Middleton Place community for your recent donation as you help IAM meet the ever-growing needs of struggling individuals and families in Henderson County. Thank you!
These are just a few of the many individuals and organizations generously supporting the mission of IAM. THANK YOU to everyone who makes it possible for us to help our neighbors!
IAM welcomes Panera Bread to Hendersonville and thanks them for their very generous donation of 550 lbs of food! We are excited to have a new community partner in the fight against food insecurity in Henderson County. Welcome!
Our volunteers picked up another generous donation from Walmart consisting of 255 lbs of bakery items, 680 lbs of fresh produce, and 162 lbs of frozen foods. Their donations, as well as those of many other local food vendors, help keep IAM’s pantry shelves and freezers stocked, and our neighbors in need here in Henderson County less susceptible to food insecurity. Thank you!
Please Consider Volunteering at IAM!
As COVID restrictions lighten and more people have gotten the vaccine, we are happy to welcome back more pre-COVID volunteers and also welcome some new volunteers to the IAM team. Staff and volunteers continue to practice the 3 W’s (washing hands, wearing masks, waiting 6 feet apart) as we serve our neighbors.
We currently have the following opportunities available:
Clothing Assistance Department:
Process Clothing donations and fill clothing orders.
Assist in food pick-up from a local grocery store and sorting it at IAM. Ability to handle a pallet jack and move pallets of food. Sunday 9 – 11:30 a.m..
Food Assistance Substitute:
Fill in as needed in the Food Assistance Department, filling orders or processing food donations. Short training required.
Property Beautification:
Help us keep our outdoor campus looking welcoming. Pick up trash, blow leaves and the driveway, empty outdoor trash cans and more. Commitment is once a week.
Vehicle Maintenance and Beautification:
Check IAM’s 3 vehicles for tire pressure, fluid levels, etc. and note on vehicle logs. Record any needed repairs. Wash, clean and vacuum vehicles once a month. Assist Operations Manager in ensuring proper registration, insurance cards, etc. are in vehicles. Commitment is once a month.
For more information on these opportunities, contact Dianne King, Volunteer Coordinator, 828-697-7029, volunteer.managers@iam-hc.org
Drive-Thru Tuesdays Top 20,000 Served
Drive-Thru Tuesdays continue to be a vital life-line for many Henderson County residents each Tuesday afternoon. Extended daylight savings time hours begin April 13, 3 to 6 p.m.
Through March 23, IAM’s drive-thru program has served over 5,165 families comprised of 22,313 adults and children.
Through this initiative, IAM provides families with nutritious food, toilet paper, personal hygiene supplies, pet food, face masks and relief from the stress of food insecurity. The need continues to increase and your donations and contributions to IAM are more valuable than ever!
IAM Hours Change April 12th
New Hours
We will Now Be Open Fridays 9 -1 p.m.
Beginning April 12th
We have updated our operating hours to reflect our staff’s need to spend time setting up and operating our Drive-Thru Tuesday events. Please note that on Tuesdays that our services, donation drop-off, and administrative hours will end at 2:30 p.m.
Services and Donation Drop-Off Hours:
Mon, Wed, Thurs: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tues: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Fri: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Drive-Thru Tuesday Food Distribution:
Tues: 3 – 6 p.m.
IAM Administrative Hours:
Mon – Thurs: 9 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
Fri: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Thank You Community Foundation of Henderson County
IAM is grateful to the Community Foundation of Henderson County for its recent grant to help pay for a new generator for our facility. The generator will help ensure that our freezers are operating continuously – even during power outages – to protect thousands of dollars worth of food in cold storage. It will also keep IAM’s computers and technology running and the lights on!
Thank you Community Foundation for being a steadfast partner in our efforts to keep all residents of Henderson County healthy and safe.
Fun with Glenn C. Marlow Elementary
Great thanks to the students, teachers, and staff at Glenn C. Marlow Elementary who collected and donated 575 boxes of cereal to the IAM Food Pantry. And they made it incredibly fun in the process!
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