Sharing house


 

https://www.sharinghouse.org/ 

Sharing House COVID-19 UPDATE

June 2020

Sharing House has been on the front lines ensuring that everyone in Transylvania County has enough basic resources to live during these trying times. Food Distribution has increased by 34% as people who are most recently unemployed seek resources such as food, financial assistance and compassion. Sharing House is truly a community effort— we are SO VERY GRATEFUL for the many ways our community has given from the heart— cans of food, money, encouragement, and wise counsel. We are navigating new waters, AND we are confident that we have the strength and resources to get through this COVID crisis.

This is a word to those who may have never had to reach out for assistance before— PLEASE do not feel embarrassed by your needs. We are all here to support one another so that no one has to suffer. Simply call us at 884-2866 and we can do what we can to help keep you and families afloat!

FOR OUR NEIGHBORS SEEKING ASSISTANCE

Neighbors will need to FIRST CALL SHARING HOUSE 884-2866 for appointments.

  • For CRISIS FOOD ORDERS- We will be distributing Monthly Food Orders by pre-packing the orders according to family size. You will then need to have a healthy person pick-up the food at the given appointment time at the side-door. Honk car horn, and YOU will place food in vehicle. This is not our ideal way for giving out food, but for the next month we will all simply cooperate. THANK YOU!

  • For FINANCIAL CRISIS (rent, utilities, heat) Jackie or Megan will speak with you at an appointed time and attempt to resolve the crisis via phone. We are working with local vendors to take our commitments and payments over the phone and email.

  • Clothing Crisis We are now able to pull together a list of items that you and especially your children may need as the seasons have changed. Feel free to call and speak to a staff member with a list of needs. Limited to once per month.

  • For PRAYERS and COMPASSIONATE LISTENING, please call and leave a message and a volunteer will call you back. We know this is very stressful, especially for low-income, low-wage, hourly wage workers. We want to share your burdens, and listen to each one’s story and see if there are ways to assist.

  • For all other services, at least for the month and with great sorrow, we will NOT be able to provide— Clothing, households, showers, and weekly produce, or empowerment classes.

  • Please come back to this web page for the most up to date information!

FOR DONORS- YOUR GIFTS ARE SUSTAINING with COMPASSION!

A BIG SHOUT OUT to Lake Toxaway Charities for providing a $10,000 emergency grant and to Duke Energy for dedicating $3,000 for pantry resources.

Many churches and civic groups have offered up volunteers and in-kind donations.

BEST WAY TO OFFER ASSISTANCE right now is financial donations. We can purchase food items or offer financial assistance through this needed resource. And we are trying to encourage everyone to stay home as much as possible. If you have food to donate, please come through the alleyway and honk your car horn, and we will come out and retrieve the items. We cannot take CLOTHING, or HOUSEHOLDS items currently. Make Checks to: “Sharing House” PO Box 958 Brevard, NC. 28712

SHARING HOUSE DOES NOT NEED CURRENTLY ANY VOLUNTEERS OTHER THAN STAFF IN THE BUILDING— Think about lowering the risk of the spread of this virus by staying home as your greatest gift to community! 

 


 

Thanks to Pisgah Health Foundation, Sharing House Distributes Fresh Year-Round Produce and Fruits!!

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away!” is an old adage we all have learned from an early age. And we know that it is true! But what often people crave to eat, let’s say fresh fruits and vegetables, is the very thing that people cannot afford. There is an economic disparity around the types of food people can afford for their own health and well-being. Whole foods are more expensive foods. The more processed and preserved foods tend to be less expensive. A box of raisins may cost $2 where a bunch of fresh grapes would cost $8. Sharing House has not had the monetary resources to purchase expensive foods until now!

THANKS to a generous grant from the Pisgah Health Foundation, Sharing House can now offer any eligible person a grocery bag full of fresh fruits and vegetables EVERY WEEK! In January, we had 838 visits to the Produce Room. Every week, we are now able to buy desired vegetables in good condition to supplement the donated produce we receive from Food Lion and other local farmers. Our neighbors can suggest items that they are craving, such as broccoli, asparagus, cucumbers, lettuce, grapes, oranges and apples, and we can have a truck deliver the items the next week.

Our neighbors are joining the healthy movements of consuming 3-5 healthy choices a day. One such neighbor, with the additional availability of produce, has lost over 50 pounds, reduced medication for Type2 Diabetes, and feels the most healthy in decades.

So let’s celebrate! Here’s to carrots, cantelopes and clementines— pears, peas and potatoes— blueberrys, brussel sprouts and broccoli!