My family makes a small monthly contribution to this organization. We are especially grateful to…read moreManna as the government shutdown is cutting into SNAP access to food.

Blue Jean Ball Benefit tonight! 80's Theme tonight...plenty of kinked hair, leg warmers, neon…read morecolors, high side pony tails...Michael Jackson music. Restaurants include Biscuit Head, which opened last week, as will as Chestnut, Posana, Lexington Avenue Brewery, Cucina 24, the Biltmore Estate, French Broad Chocolate Lounge, Tupelo Honey, Dough and others. Musical entertainment for the evening includes the soulful rockers The Broadcast, plus Flashback Sally. Very fun event for the Manna Food Bank. The food bank, founded in 1982, collaborates with 221 other agencies in 16 Western North Carolina counties and distributed more than 11 million pounds of food last year.

Great organization. They do some excellent work…read more However, I am disappointed that I gave a sizeable monetary donation and never received a thank you in any form. Not an email, not a letter in the mail, not a phone call, absolutely no thanks in any way from anyone! I do not donate to receive praise but I do think that it would be both gracious and professional to thank those who give their money. I'm not inspired to give more to them. In fact, they lost out on other money that I gave to another worthy cause. The other organization thanked me almost immediately. Sorry to write something less than glowing about such a great organization but if you want people to keep giving, then give your thanks!!!

Quality produce and flowers at good prices. This is a business model I am fully behind!read more

First Step Farm is an incredible organization. A significant benefit to the entire community…read more Providing an opportunity and community for those with working to overcome addictions and producing garden, food and decorative plants for the region. Our family has purchased our Christmas Trees, wreaths and poinsettias from First Step for many years. We have also benefited from their vegetables. They support the local community in many ways. As we have in years past, we purchased our Fraser Fir cut tree and wreaths. We also purchased a marble poinsettia. The staff will trim your tree for you; wrap it up with care and help you load it on or in your car. We get a six foot tree but they have BIG trees too.

They have been more than a life saver to all of us in need, even before the Hurricane…read more Not only with the necessities, but also with their kindness love and generosity. I think it's sad that some people hadn't heard of them until the hurricane.

Outstanding local charity looking for donations and volunteers due to recent natural disaster…read more Involved in many aspects of relief effort and many other projects such as housing construction as well'

Located in the River Arts District, you have to stop by and check out the retail space for this non…read moreprofit that support fiber arts and artists in a 100-mile radius of Asheville. They also offer workshops and studio space. The employees were so friendly and welcoming. They were celebrating International Women's Day when I visited and invited customers to each sew a button on a dress. They were also dyeing yarn in the back. It's really great to see such community!!

Walk inside this large space for the fiber arts in the River Arts District and you may walk out a…read moreconvert. Local arts sell their fiber arts good from purses to clothes to other goods. The staff are artists themselves and will gladly share their passion. Even if you aren't into fiver arts, walk into this non-profit.

This place is amazing! Texture Gallery and Art Bar is such a…read morecool place to stop by and look around or to take an art workshop. They are located in an old house (I believe) that has been transformed into an art gallery/ framing studio/ Art bar/ Studio space. The upstairs level is the art gallery. It is absolutely gorgeous with each room with different colored painted walls to make the art on display really pop. They have dragon head sculptures, calligraphy art, burlesque photography, unique jewelry and so much more. My favorite part of this gallery is actually one of the walls-one of the owners has been (over time) gold leafing one of the walls and it is absolutely stunning. I am dreaming of doing this in my future home one day myself now. The bottom level of the space is where the magic happens. There is an "art bar" which is full of all the art supplies that you could imagine. You can take art workshops here with a group of friends, do an art project by yourself, or do a boxed art project with all of the instructions and materials provided. I recently did a group Mixed Media art workshop. A group of six of us did a three hour workshop led by Patrice. She is a great teacher, the class was super affordable, and it was super fun! For $35-$60 (depending on canvas size), we each created our own unique textured, colorful artwork. We were instructed on how to use the different materials (paint, stamps, modeling paste, mod podge, h20 colors, pitt pens, oil pastels, napkins, tissue paper, etc) and given inspiration. Within the three hour time period, each of us was able to start and complete a piece of art. I truly love this place and recommend it for anyone who loves looking at art (walk through the gallery), anyone who is intimidated by the idea of making art (take a no-pressure workshop with Patrice), or active artists (always good to try new things). Bring your friends, your family, your coworkers. Super fun!

Great space with very unique art! I love it! The top…read morefloor is the gallery and custom framing shop, while the lower floor is a super fun art/craft class space. She has many interesting and fun ideas for making something--from challenging to kid friendly everyone can take a cool thing home.

What do you do when you're visiting Asheville without a car but want to see some mountains? Read…read morethe local paper and find a carpooling hike organized by SAHC, that's what! For a small donation of $5 I met with a lovely group of people and our guide Sarge, who took us on a trip about 45 minutes outside of downtown to the Hemphill Bald trail at Cataloochee Ranch. I really could not have asked for a better experience. Sarge was so friendly and knowledgeable, he was so clearly passionate about the mountains and the flora and fauna to be found there and shared what he knew in a relaxed and accessible way. This hike was open to both dogs and children and everyone had a great time, there were even snacks and prizes! This is an incredible local resource, I highly recommend looking them up if you're visiting and would like a guided hike, whether or not you have a car. It's a lot cheaper than going through for hire businesses or Airbnb Experiences, and the money goes right back into the conservancy that works hard to protect the land.

The information Ethan shared with us was so interesting and incredibly important to be shared. I'd…read morehave loved to learn more. well worth your time to hear this perspective on Asheville history that you won't get on the other tours.

While visiting Asheville for a long weekend from Washington, D.C., booking a Hood Huggers tour was…read moreone of the best things we did. Led by Mr. Dwayne, the tour is an hour and a half learning about the Burton Street Community, a historically Black neighborhood in West Asheville and the victim of gentrification and highway expansions. Hood Huggers was created to serve as a champion for the 1912 neighborhood and its long-time residents. My wife, eight-year-old daughter, and I booked a Sunday morning tour. Since it was just us, he gave us the option to walk it or take his little shuttle. Mr. Dwayne gave us the background on the area before Mr. Cotton, the grandson of the man who founded the neighborhood, joined us with a book of photos. After a drive, we ended at the Peace Gardens and Market, a sacred space for the community.