Miscellaneous sepia photos this week! (and more, legal issues, and TV access)
This week's Sepia Saturday theme seems to be comrades, so the artists I pictured above might be somewhat on topic!
And then there are the poor people who depend upon SNAP for food assistance. (I wrote this on Nov. 1 hoping that our government figures out how to pay these millions of families who rely upon it.)
I think the Council on Aging lunch program is still being funded, as we just received the November menu for the Senior Center. Much gratitude for reasonably priced somewhat nutritious meals.
The following is quoted from The Contrarian newsletter on 11/1/25, Contrarian cases CRASH Trump clown car, by Norm Eisen:
The Department of Agriculture has the money to pay for SNAP—and the legal obligation to spend it....You’re probably asking yourself how they (President and colleagues) are getting away with this flagrant illegality. That’s why an armada of support—including 23 state AGs and three governors in one lawsuit and a coalition of individual plaintiffs and nonprofit organizations in another—came in to make sure that they couldn’t. The AGs and governors filed their lawsuit in Massachusetts federal court explaining that the failure to disperse the funds was a violation of the law. Then, plaintiffs—including individuals from red states, such as a grocery store owner in South Carolina, who are bravely speaking out while their state governments do nothing to fight back—sued in Rhode Island.
By Friday, the plaintiffs scored significant victories against Trump, securing this vital assistance for Americans across the country. In a hearing on Thursday, federal Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts said, “Congress has put money in an emergency fund, and it is hard for me to understand how this is not an emergency.” On Friday, Chief Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island issued a temporary restraining order, preventing the federal government from cutting off SNAP benefits nationwide; and Judge Talwani in Massachusetts, in a scathing opinion, stated that the federal government was wrong on the relevant law and required it to inform the court as to whether it will authorize paying out benefits by Monday.
The fact that the private plaintiffs, AGs, and governors went to court—and that the courts responded strongly—is magnificent. It’s another example of how the legal resistance is working as the front line of defending the Constitution and human decency. YOU Contrarians have supported over 200 of these legal cases and matters through your paid subscriptions, including our legal work on SNAP.
"People just can't make it back there in Texas with drought, hailstorms, windstorms, dust-storms, insects. They'll all be here in another year or two."
Photographer Dorothea Lange
How anybody can make it in Texas these days is also a big question.
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We do hope that the families today don't have to suffer like those of the Great depression.
Here's what I found on FaceBook this morning, but it was on a private site, so not sharable...so I cut and pasted this list. It's local, so ignore it unless you're in need around western North Carolina. It's a good long list, as a result of many of us having suffered food insufficiency since last years floods following Hurricane Helene. We're getting proactive in the face of emergencies.
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Resources for food etc. Buncombe County and beyond...
a Calendar of daily free food and supplies around wnc: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/7...
These are pantries that are open 24/7 throughout wnc. I will update as i learn about new resources. Post below any i have missed.
Asheville:
1. Meals on Wheels - 65+ Homebound
2. Southside Community Farm, behind 133 Livingston St. asheville Free Fridge Asheville
3. South French Free Fridge, 382 South French Broad Ave. asheville Free Fridge Asheville
4. Livingston Fridge 285 livingston street asheville Free Fridge Asheville
5. Beloved Pantry Avl - Haywood Rd. West Asheville: Corners of Haywood Rd. and Blue Ridge in front of JB Media next to the telephone poll. Street parking available on Blue Ridge or Haywood.
6. Beloved Pantry Avl - Downtown Walnut Street: Directly across from East Fork Pottery store on Walnut between Lexington Ave. and Biltmore Ave. next to a metal sculpture. There is street parking on Lexington or a parking lot just behind the pantry.
7. Beloved Pantry Avl Lexington Street Bridge: On the side walk on the left side of the Lexington Street Bridge while facing the bridge next to the phone poll. The pantry is next to the paid parking lot and the guardrail. You can pull directly up in that parking lot to fill the pantry.
8. Beloved Pantry - Oteen Pantry: In front of Azalea Church just past Zaxby's Restaurant on Tunnel Rd. before exit 55. The pantry is where the sidewalk ends. Look for the yellow chain and you can pull your car right in front of it.
9. Beloved Pantry Avl- Airport Road Pantry 1: corner of Airport Rd. and turn to Target next to the bus stop. Pantry filling: Pull in to the Home-2 Suites and there is a building for lease next to Airport Rd where you can park and walk to the pantry.
10. Beloved Pantry Avl - Airport Road Pantry 2: Across from Sonic next to HomeTrust Bank beside the crossing signal. Park at Airport Center Office Plaza to fill.
11. Beloved Pantry avl - Southside/River Arts District: Clingman Ave., on the traffic circle by Pinegate Renewables (park there to fill)
12. Beloved Pantry avl - Charlotte Street (adopted by the UUCA): 81 Charlotte Street pantry is next to the side walk near the yellow polls of this parking lot. You can pull up in the parking lot for easy filling
13. Free Masks and Covid Tests: Firestorm Books
1022 Haywood Rd, Asheville
14. Rosetta's Kitchen - Everyone Eats Program
You just come to the restaurant and ask for an 'everyone eats' or beans and rice plate. They told me "That’s all. Nothing to it. Sometimes if people are having a rough week. Sometimes someone left their purse at home. Sometimes they are in more dire need. But we don’t ask personal questions."
location 68 N Lexington Ave Asheville, NC
Black Mountain:
1. Beloved Pantry BMT Highway 9 close to the railroad tracks just up from the bus stop and the SunTrust Bank across the street from the old Bilo grocery.
2. Black Mountain Presbyterian Church Pantry in front of building near the street.
117 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain, NC 28711
3. First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Pantry located in parking lot towards the street.
201 Blue Ridge Rd, Black Mountain, NC 28711
4. Appalachian community Relief Appalachian Community Relief
shop in person for free in black mountain:https://www.appalachiancommunityrelief.org/shop-in-person
5. Pantry Back of parking lot 130 montreat rd, black mountain
6. St. James Episcopal Church 424 W State St, Black Mountain, NC 28711 located on state street in front of the church on the sidewalk facing the street.
Candler
1. Free Pantry 1808 pisgah highway candler Budgie's Bakeshop
2. Beloved Pantry Candler Smokey Park Highway by the sidewalk in the grass between the Shell and BP gas stations (across the street from Burger King) and just up from the 1-40 interchange at exit 44
3. Period Pantry at Enka-Candler Branch Library
1404 Sand Hill Rd., Candler
Weaverville
1. Beloved Pantry Weaverville - On the corner, in the front of Hardees restaurant on Weaver Blvd. in Weaverville. Park in the shopping plaza to fill.
Haywood
1. Mountain Projects Congregate Nutrition - There is no cost for this service for participants aged 60 and older, voluntary contributions toward the cost of services they receive are appreciated. Anyone under 60 may participate for a fee of $4.53 per meal; 44 Boundary Street, Waynesville, NC and 3987 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC; Site Hours: 8:30- 12:30 pm
2. Little Free Queer Store (new location tbd)
email : info@haycopride.com Masks and Tests, Supplies and Has a few CR Boxes (air purifier)
Waynesville Pickup
Mcdowell county
1. Giving Goods Hub Distribution center in McDowell county.
Address: 334 Ab Elliott Rd Marion NC
call 828-460-2461 to make an appointment. they might be able to deliver.
2. Can’t make it to a distribution? Call 828.659.5289 Our friends at McDowell Access to Care and Health (MATCH) can help you get signed up to have a food box delivered! or fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeV12W0tjxQDk.../viewform
Swain County:
1. Restoration House
Address: 81 Academy Street, Bryson City, NC,
At Restoration House WNC, we keep a 24/7 Blessing Box available outside our building. Anyone, at any time of day or night, can take what they need — no questions asked.
Pantry Wednesdays 1pm-6pm
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 10a-3p
Restoration House WNC installed a 24/7 Public Health Vending Machine — available any time, day or night.
This machine provides essential items like:
Healthy snacks & meal kits
Hygiene products
Recovery resources
Watauga County:
Boone
1. (Coming soon) Crop & Trade Co-op Free Fridge (also has masks and tests)
Address: 1773 NC-194, Boone
2. Boone Unitarian Universalist Little Free Library & Free Pantry
Address: 381 E King St. Boone (also has masks and c19 tests)
3. High Country Mutual Aid Free Store in Boone
Email: highcountrymutualaid4@gmail.com
hygiene products, pads, tampons, baby diapers, wipes, Covid masks and tests,clothes, blankets, shoes and more!
4. Free Masks @ High Country Community Health
935 State Farm Rd, Boone & 240 NC-105 Ext # 100, Boone
5. Free Masks Clawson-Burnley Park in Little Free Library
2355 M.L. K. Jr. St. Alice Boone
Banner Elk
1. Free Masks @ Foscoe Home Team
in "take what you need box"
10543 NC-105 suite] 4, Banner Elk
2. Free Masks @ Valle Crucis Community Park
Located inside Little Free Library
2892 Broadstone rd, Banner Elk, NC
For homebound / lack or transportation folks:
1. Feed-a-Family.org - Instacart Delivery Groceries free for anyone.
2. Farmer’s Market Grocery Delivery in Buncombe - Pandemic of Love by Suzi Israel. Call or text 757 528 6793
delivery between 3-4 on saturdays.
3. McDowell County food delivery. Call 828.659.5289 Our friends at McDowell Access to Care and Health (MATCH) can help you get signed up to have a food box delivered! or fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeV12W0tjxQDk.../viewform
Websites with monthly distribution calendars:
- McDowell County resources: https://docs.google.com/.../1qiGCiJAYRqTLJ5NF.../mobilebasic
- low cost asheville: https://docs.google.com/.../1gstiDRiIWNzvzXSdSKVJbLg.../edit
- Eblen Charities - https://www.eblencharities.org/programs Phone: 828-255-3066
Finacial resources:
rental assistance for mostly buncombe, some in Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania counties
id: Housing Assistance
ABCCM - Food, Rent, Utilities, Homelessness, Mortgage,
Clothing, Furniture
Phone: 828-259-5300https://www.abccm.org/get-help/
Eblen Charities - Rental Assistance, Utility Assistance, General
and Medical Assistance, Gas Voucher request
phone: 828-255-3066
Currently accepting appointments for November
Groce covenant - Rental Assistance
Phone: (828) 254-3274
789 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC, United States, North Carolina
Swannanoa Communities Together - Rent and Utility
Assistance, Free fridge and Pantry
serving from east Asheville to ridgecrest
2121 Us Hwy 70 Swannanoa NC
Phone: 828-423-5727
Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte (Asheville Office)
Phone: (828) 255-0146
Address: 50 Orange Street asheville
Biltmore United Methodist Church - rental assistance
376 Hendersonville Rd Asheville, NC
828-274-2379https://www.biltmoreumc.org/
Christian Ministries
24 Cumberland Ave Asheville
828-252-2752
Black Mountain: 828-669-9404
Arden: 828-259-5337
United Way - Rent assistance
50 S. French Broad ave asheville
828-255-0696 or dial 211https://www.unitedwayabc.org/help-starts-here-dial-2-1-1
HUD.GOV - this is for Mortgage Payments - https://www.hud.gov/
homeownerhelp
P. 888-995-4673
Pisgah Legal Services - Rent assistance
62 Charlotte Street Asheville, NC 28801
In Crisis? call (800) 489-6144
NC HOPE Rental and Utility Assistance
Provides rental & utilities assistance for WNC counties, NOT Buncombe
To apply call (888) 927-5467 or visit www.hope.nc.gov
Buncombe County -https://www.buncombecounty.org/.../Depts/PublicAssistance/
Emergency.aspx
P: (828) 250-5592
Call Center
P: [828) 250-5500
F: (828) 250-6235
North Buncombe Samaritan Ministry, Asheville-Buncombe Community
Christian Ministry
(ABCCM)
403 Weaverville Highway
Asheville, NC 28804
(828) 645-6141
Salvation Army - Rent assistance
204 Haywood Street Asheville, NC 28801
828-253-4723
AshevilleNC@uss.salvationarmy.org
Community Action Opportunities - Utility Assistance
25 Gaston St Asheville
828-250-0410
Department of Social Services - Energy Assistance Program
40 Coxe Ave Asheville, NC 28801
828-250-5500
The Salvation Army of Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania Counties
(828) 693-4181https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/henderson-polk-transylvania/
St. Vincent de Paul Financial assistance
(828) 775-1933https://www.ssvdpstmary.com/how-to-request-help
Foster Seventh-Day Adventist Church
(828) 274-2014 ext. 303https://www.fosterchurch.com/
Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry
Serving East Asheville (Oteen and east of the VA Hospital)
Swannanoa
Black Mountain
Montreat
Ridgecrest
(828) 669-9404
Homeward Bound of Western NC
Short term rental assistance
(828) 252-8883
The ARC of Buncombe County
The Arc provides assistance to individuals and families who are
experiencing housing, medical, transportation, utility or related
crisis. These are considered life threatening emergencies and more
difficult for families with intellectual and developmental disabilities
(IDD).
828-253-1255https://www.arcofbuncombecounty.org/programs
Supportive Services for Veteran Families - rental assistance for
veteranshttps://abccm-vsc.org/housing
(855) 962-8387
Mountain Housing Opportunities
MHO is the regional nonprofit leader in developing and preserving
safe, stable, affordable housing in Buncombe County and beyond.
MHO serve more than 2,000 households annually in Western North
Carolina with apartment rentals, essential home repair, down
payment assistance, and new home construction.
(828) 254-4030https://mtnhousing.org/services/
Health & Human Services of Henderson County, NC
Low-Income Services give you access to health care, child care,
housing, financial, nutrition assistance, regardless of your financial
status.
(828) 250-5500https://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/low-income-services/
emergency-assistance-short-term-financial-assistance-families-
crisis
Asheville Housing Authorityhttps://haca.org/
Call (828) 239-3531
Helpful websites seeking rental assistance:https://211.org/get-help/i-need-help-paying-my-bills
Free Clinics:
1. every other Tuesday MAHEC Family Health Centers hosts a primary care clinic at the Sunrise Drop-In Center between 1PM and 4PM—everyone is welcome! They accept uninsured, Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. If you are uninsured or underinsured and are concerned about the cost of a visit, talk to clinic staff about our sliding scale discount application. They will help you apply!
Services Provided Include:
• Primary care including wound care
• Medication refills
• Treatments for muscle, joint, and nerve pain
• Treatment for substance use (nicotine, opioids, kratom, and others)
• Chronic health conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma)
209 tunnel rd Asheville
2. Hendersonville clinic:
3. medassist: Project Delivering Hope:
WNC Free Pharmacy Program &
Mobile Free Pharmacy
OTC Free Store
4. buncombe clinic popup, check oct calendar: https://www.buncombenc.gov/calendar.aspx
5. SVCM NeighborCare Clinic
Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries and local medical providers passionate about medical care in the community have come together to create NeighborCare; a cost free medical clinic for the Swannanoa Valley.
NeighborCare Clinic Number: 828-419-0439
Located at Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries
101 N. Ridgeway Ave, Black Mountain NC 28711
Nurse Katie, Crystal, and Anika from NeighborCare were at Black Mountain’s Celebration of Resiliency this past Saturday, offering free health screenings and sharing information about our free clinic! 
This October, NeighborCare will be open for our usual clinic hours on Wednesday mornings 9am - noon at SVCM in Black Mountain. Nurse Katie will also be available for sick visits on Tuesdays 10am - 2pm, alternating between SVCM in Black Mountain and The Hub in Swannanoa. We also have two flu vaccine clinics coming up this month on Wednesday 10/8 and Saturday 10/25!
NeighborCare does accept walk-ins, but we strongly recommend making an appointment! Call or text (828) 419-0439 Monday - Thursday 9am - 3pm. 
For NeighborCare’s full schedule this October, please see the Events section of our Facebook page, or our website calendar: https://www.svcmblackmountain.org/events-calendar
6. 12 baskets Monday, Thursday, Friday mornings
610 Haywood rd asheville free clinic
7. Free Healthcare for the Community by the Community
Every Monday 4:30-7:30pm Barnardsville Fire Dept.
100 Dillingham Rd.
Big Ivy Health Provides General check-ups • Well-child visits/Sports physicals • Blood pressure & blood sugar checks • Minorillness, injury & skin conditions care • Pregnancy Testing Depression & anxiety screenings • Health education & wellness counseling • Chronic disease management • Stress management resources
Sharable Docs coming soon. Please share! I also have been told the folks at AFBU have some cooks ready to cook community meals! hope to have more details soon.
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Sorry, I don’t know what most of the abbreviations mean. But there are certainly enough resources listed to help people.
My pet peeve as a Friday night was that YouTubeTV had not Been able to negotiate with Disney, so they stopped providing all ABC channel shows. That was my access to our only local news station, as well as my favorite game show every night, Jeopardy! I’m encouraging a BOYCOT of Disney!