Grateful for the Asheville Community

As I take stock of the year, even with all of the hardships surrounding covid and the challenges of keeping community strong when it is so difficult to be in physical presence with each other, I am grateful for the gifts that this year has given. This month marks 9 full years since I launched Asheville Digital Lifestyle, and I am grateful to have a stable, successful business that has allowed me to take a passion and use it to make a positive impact on so many people in Asheville and beyond.  
Thank you to my clients who not only have enabled this business to thrive, but who are also the foundation for my ability to provide low- and no-cost services to those in greatest need in our community, in collaboration with the Buncombe County Council on Aging, Mountain Bizworks, and Helpmate.

There is so much need in our community right now, but also much opportunity for people to join together and give of our own resources to those whose basic needs are not being met. I have recently started collaborating with BeLoved Asheville on their innovative Street Pantry project, using repurposed newspaper boxes to provide essential resources. It was exciting to celebrate their 15th street pantry, on Charlotte Street across from City Bakery. Street pantries are now set up across Asheville and in surrounding communities at high traffic areas such as bus stops to provide basic necessities such as nonperishable ready-to-eat foods, winter necessities like hats and gloves, and basic hygiene and first aid supplies.

For this project to thrive, pantries must be filled every day by volunteers. While it's possible to volunteer directly with BeLoved to formally contribute to a street pantry, the genius of the idea is that anyone can take it upon themselves to be a "Random Filler" and spontaneously add their own gifts to a street pantry. It's a direct way to help those in greatest need. Check out this pantry supply list, and keep your eyes peeled for a street pantry near you.

Happy Holidays!

Jensen Gelfond
Owner
Asheville Digital Lifestyle