WHAT: Rockin’ on Wall St. Bounty & Soul Fundraiser
WHEN: Friday, March 20, 7-10 p.m.
WHERE: Jubilee! Community Church, 46 Wall St., Asheville
WHY: Bounty & Soul creates healthier communities by providing fresh healthy food, nutrition literacy and health and wellness resources to people in need in western North Carolina. Founded by executive director Allison Casparian, the organization grew out of the now-defunct Black Mountain Welcome Table. “I saw a greater need to address food insecurity and provide nutritious food for meals and pantry items beyond the one meal people were getting at the Welcome Table, so we started a table to give away produce. This grew into seven tables. Then we started offering classes,” says Casparian.
Now, Casparian wants to extend the reach of Bounty & Soul by launching a mobile market. With a grant from a local Episcopal diocese, Bounty & Soul was able to purchase a refrigerated truck, but it needs significant retrofitting before delivering produce to those in need. “We need to pass safety standards by installing steps, railings and NSF-certified racks and apply decals. If we raise enough money, we’ll include a solar panel to run electricity for educational programs and cooking demos,” Casparian notes.
To raise those funds, Jubilee! Community Church is hosting a night of dancing, singing and bidding to get the truck on the road. Join pianist Darryl Van Leer (and his 21 costume changes!) and bid on the evening’s silent auction, which will feature a two-night Lake Tomahawk vacation cottage package and a half-day fly-fishing expedition. Tickets cost $15 at the door, and all event proceeds will be used to retrofit the produce truck. Tickets are available at the door or by visiting Jubilee! or Malaprop’s Bookstore and Cafe. — Michael McDonald
