F#%K COVID-19! Be Safe,
Support Local Businesses and Stay Sane.
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Feeling scared? Helpless? Worried for your elderly friends? Concerned about your kids being out of school for the next two weeks? Freaking out about your own well-being? These are uncertain times and for a town full of independently-owned businesses that rely heavily upon us all getting out there AND also on tourism, frankly this just stinks.
So now while we’re being socially responsible at home on our yoga mat or in our recliner drowning ourselves in local craft beverages… Dig Local wants to offer hope that we CAN continue to support our local community. Here are 10 things that we recommend while you’re practicing social distancing and riding this thing out:
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1.) Imagine the fun experiences you’ll get to have once you’re not stuck at home anymore! If you have the means, please consider purchasing gift cards and gift certificates to your favorite places. Think about how many times you go out in the week, and go ahead and call or go online to purchase gift cards to use later. Also consider gift certificates for future date nights at the Grail Moviehouse, The Grey Eagle, etc. This helps these awesome places (and of course the people who work there) to better weather the storm. Check out #AshevilleStrong for an easy way to order gift cards to your favorite local businesses online!
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2.) Take advantage of the convenient service from our friends at Mother Earth Food. Did you know that they offer weekly services of bringing you seasonal produce from local farms, locally made goods (like kimchi from Fermenti), delicious baked goods (like spinach gouda quiche from The Rhu Bakery), and even immune-boosting Buchi kombucha? Order by noon on Tuesday for a Thursday or Friday delivery right to your doorstep. Heads up... they are getting very busy, so order as soon as you can!
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3.) Get delicious restaurant meals and other goods delivered right to your door. Jennie from Kickback AVL is ready to help with this. By using her local service you will not only support her as a single mom, but you’ll also still be able to support your favorite local places. Also, if you need to take the edge off with some local CBD products, she’ll deliver those, too!
Note: there will be no human contact. Jennie will be leaving goods at your door.
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4.) Consider take-out. Many restaurants are offering curbside service where they’ll literally meet you at the curb (like Posana, Avenue M, Smoky Park Supper Club, Blue Dream Curry House, and The Underground Cafe with DoughP Dougnuts) to name a few. Call and see if some of your favorites are offering the same service!
Helpful Hint: Dig Local has links to every business’s phone number on our app, and much more helpful info.
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5.) Local drive-thrus are also an option if you happen to be out but avoiding public spaces. Sand Hill Kitchen, Asheville Tacos & Taps, and Taco Temple are currently still operating. We do know things are changing by the hour, so before hopping in your car, be sure to call ahead to be sure they’re still open.
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6.) Now’s a great time to catch up on some reading. With a Buncombe County library card, you can access the Virtual Library and get access to world language courses, genealogy resources, video tutorials to master software and business skills, Citizen-Times archives, digital books, and more---all for free!
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7.) Did you know that the Paris Museum has released over 100,000 high-res digital images of art and 60,000+ historic photos online, copyright-free? Whether you’re helping to homeschool the kiddos, or if you’re a history buff or art lover, this is another great opportunity for learning and to pass the time. Check it out here!
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8.) Comment on a social media post or send an email of encouraging words to your favorite local businesses to let them know you’re thinking about them at this time. We all need a bit more kindness right now.
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9.) Get outside. Every day. Look up. Look around at the natural beauty that surrounds us. We are so fortunate to live among these ancient mountains. And it's starting get springy out there with new things blooming all of the time.
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10.) Keep your eye on the future. We WILL get through this! Things will get back to normal. Think of a list of the things that you value the most about our awesome city. Where would you recommend that friends and visitors go in Asheville when life resumes? Dig Local's new app offers a way to easily do this. Create a profile, create a list, share it with others so we can begin dreaming of life when it gets back to normal around here! And it will. Ruby says so.
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Our fantastic community has banded together to provide resources and aid for those in need, and we’ve composed a list for y’all to keep handy and share with those who may benefit. Be sure to keep an eye on our social media for more information and resources as they become available:
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1.) In response to the executive order by Roy Cooper for all K-12 North Carolina schools to shut down for two weeks, Buncombe County Schools will have drive-thru food pick-up stations at select locations. This provides breakfast and lunch for students who are dependent on school meals. Children between ages 2-18 can participate, and extra food boxes for the elderly and other adults in households can also be provided. Breakfast is 7:30am-8:30am, and lunch 11:30am-1:30pm.
Currently the food station locations are as follows:
- Oakley Elementary
- Johnston Elementary
- Emma Elementary
- West Buncombe Elementary
- Woodfin Elementary
- Hominy Valley Elementary
- Pisgah Elementary
- Owen High School
- Black Mountain Primary
- Weaverville Elementary
- North Windy Ridge Intermediate
- Estes Elementary
Keep an eye on the Buncombe County Schools website for additional announcements and updates.
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2.) For bilingual local updates, resources, and other info in both Spanish and English, be sure to keep a close eye on Descubre Asheville. Please share it with our vibrant multicultural community; our friend Luis is always posting and sharing updates and resources on their Facebook page.
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3.) BeLoved Asheville is mobilizing to help those at most risk in our community: elders, families living on a low income, workers, our African American and Latinx communities, people living on the streets, and their pets (pet supplies courtesy of Mountain Pet Rescue Asheville). They will be offering support from health and safety, as well as survival supplies such as food, hygiene and medicine. They need your support now more than ever as they make their rounds, and have opened a Covid19 Community Response and Support fundraiser to assist in meeting the needs of our community.
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4.) Food Connection is currently still available to rescue surplus fresh meals but their food supply has decreased due to university closures, canceled events and conferences, etc. If you do know of an event or organization that has prepared fresh meals that can be donated or if you know of a restaurant that is closing for an extended time and needs to unload raw goods, please contact the Food Connection hotline at (828) 407-0353. Keep an eye on their COVID19 page and social media for updates.
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5.) Manna Foodbank is also distributing food. Keep an eye on their social media for further updates.
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6.) Haywood Street’s Downtown Welcome Table food service is currently continuing to operate on Wednesdays and Sundays, and will possibly add another day next week. It will be outdoor service in disposable containers. Keep an eye on their social media for further updates.
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7.) Our county parks are currently open, but all programming has been postponed. Anyone who has been directed to quarantine, isolate, or self-monitor and residents over 70 years-old or with an impaired or compromised immune response should avoid visiting and Buncombe County Recreation facilities.
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8.) Don’t forget to reach out to your own personal resources such as your neighborhood places of worship, local farmers, and community centers! They may also have additional resources, programs, information, and other assistance available.
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This too shall pass, y’all. Please unite, take care
of yourselves and each other, and keep digging local!
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