It's that time of year again, and AARP Tax-Aide will be offering free tax assistance for seniors. Every Thursday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, February 8 - April 11. This year appointments will be completed on site that day. To participate:
1. Email your interest and ask for documents you need to send using AARPTaxesWeaverville@gmail.com.
2. They will send documents to fill out and a link to a website to make an appointment.
3. During the week you may get a phone call from the tax preparer with questions and to confirm your scheduled appointment.
Food Vouchers for Senior Adults
Seniors Adults can receive $50 worth of vouchers to buy produce at local farmers markets. To do so, stop by the Council on Aging of Buncombe County table in the Fellowship Hall on Tue, July 11 from 10:15-11:15 am.
If you have any questions, contact Emily Benson at 828-277-8288
Certified Markets
Black Mountain Tailgate Market - 130 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain
River Arts District Farmers Market - 350 Riverside Dr
North Asheville Tailgate Market - 3300 University Heights
West Asheville Tailgate Market - 718 Haywood Rd
Supplement your diet with healthy, locally grown produce, and support local farmers.
From July 1 to Sept 30, eligible lower-income older adults in participating NC counties may receive coupons to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at certified farmers' markets. The program is designed to improve the nutrition of older adults and increase business for local farmers. Only fresh fruits and vegetables may be purchased with the coupons. (Coupons cannot be used for baked goods, crafts, cooked foods, honey, eggs, plants, or other non-food items.)
Eligibility: age 60+ with self-declared household income of no more than $2,248/month for a one-person household, or $3,041/month for a two-person household.
Tax Assistance for Senior Adults
It's that time of year again, and AARP Tax-Aide will be offering free tax assistance for seniors. They will be here every Thursday morning from 9:00 am to 12:40 pm, beginning February 2 through April 6 (the last day to take information) in our drive-thru Connector area. They will gather your tax information and have your prepared tax document ready for pick-up the following week.
Car Sales and Repairs for Those in Need
Imagine how difficult your life would be without a car. Working Wheels repairs and recycles donated vehicles, transforming them into working wheels for working families. The process is simple, the donation is tax-deductible, and the impact is real. To donate, volunteer, or learn more, visit www.workingwheelswnc.org or call 828-633-6888.
“I’ve been working on getting back on my feet after an abusive relationship. This car makes my employment and housing possible. I can’t thank Working Wheels enough for their help with making sure my kids and I have a safe vehicle. Also, to the donor who selflessly donated this vehicle, you’ve touched our hearts and helped my sons and I so much! Thank you!”
-- Brittney, referred by Helpmate
ABCCM Christmas Angel Program
ABCCM has begun taking applications for assistance through the 2022 Christmas Angel program and are in search of volunteers to sponsor families and/or assist at their Christmas Shop. Individuals or groups can adopt a specific family to shop for or can buy general gifts for designated age groups and donate them to ABCCM to be distributed as needed. To see a list of families and toy suggestions, visit their website here. If anyone is interested in volunteering to work a shift in the Christmas shop to bag toys and assist families, let Regina know and she can help coordinate setting that up. Last year this program provided Christmas gifts for 1,189 children in 489 families throughout Buncombe County. With so many impacted by recent inflation, they anticipate even more to be in need of assistance this year.
Transportation Ministry
We’re glad that our Sunday Transportation Ministry can start back again after a two-year hiatus. So now we can offer rides again to anyone who needs help getting to and from church on Sundays. If someone has the desire to be at church but can't make it, then it’s our job to help them get here. So if you or someone you know needs a ride on Sundays, call or e-mail the church office.
Tax Assistance for Senior Adults
There is free tax assistance for seniors, made possible through AARP Tax-Aide. Every Thursday morning there will be tax preparers in our Connector area, and assistance is open to anyone. To participate:
E-mail your interest and ask for documents you need, at AARPTaxesWeaverville@gmail.com
They will send you documents to fill out and a link to a website to make an appointment.
When scheduled, drop off your tax documents with the tax helpers at the Connector drive-thru without getting out of your car.
During the week you may get phone calls from the tax preparer with questions. Then next Thursday, come back to pick up and sign your tax return.
Western NC Disaster Response Work Day - Sat., Oct 23
Many families in Haywood County are still dealing with the aftermath of recent storm and flood damage to their homes and yards. Next Saturday, October 23, local church groups are partnering with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship college groups for some much-needed work in the Cruso community. A group from our church will be helping out. If you would like to come please be at the church by 8:45 am and we will take the van there. Or, if you prefer, you can meet us at 9:30 am in the Jukebox Junction Restaurant parking lot at 6306 Pigeon Road, Canton 28716. We will be doing yard debris clean up, so if you have extra gloves, pruning shears, rakes, shovels, etc. it would be greatly appreciated if you could bring those along. Trash bags will be provided at the site as well as a skid steer to help with bigger items. Biscuits will be provided for breakfast but you will need to bring your own bag lunch. Please let Regina know if you can help and if you need work gloves.
To give to WNC Disaster Relief, go to the church’s donation page HERE and select it from the list.
Helping with Disaster Relief
A group of FBCW folks were glad to work with groups from other local Cooperative Baptist churches and college groups last Saturday to pack cleaning buckets for disaster relief in Haywood County. Hundreds of filled buckets and empty storage totes were donated. Check out the story that WLOS ran on the event, with pictures and video (see which kids, students, and adults you recognize):
If you want to contribute to supplies for flood victims in Haywood County, you can go to the church’s donation page HERE and select it from the list. (100% of money in the fund will go to families and churches on the ground there.) And be listening in the weeks ahead for other ways to help.
Helping with Flood Disaster Relief
Many communities around Western North Carolina endured severe damage during the storms of Tue., Aug. 17. We have set up a WNC Disaster Relief Fund to collect money for whatever needs arise—helping families get water, supplies, and supporting the clean up process. 100% of money in this fund will go to relief organizations and churches on the ground in the hardest hit areas (a majority in Haywood Co). In the weeks ahead we'll work with churches and organizations to assist with cleaning supplies and volunteer work.
To give to WNC Disaster Relief, go to the church’s donation page HERE and select it from the list.
One immediate need: People in the Cruso community need storage totes to hold personal belongings--big enough to be useful but small enough to carry. (Maybe 15-30 gal sizes). The distribution place is Cruso United Methodist Church, but only emergency services are allowed in the area, so our drop-off location will be Hominy Baptist Church in Candler. You can donate storage bins here at FBC Weaverville and we'll take them, or give money to the Relief Fund
Local Manufacturing Job Openings
Two of the manufacturing plants in Weaverville are interest in people seeking a steady career to join their teams. If you have family or community members who are seeking employment or looking for an opportunity, feel free to share this information with them:
ABB – We are currently hiring qualified Machinist and Packaging/Assembly workers. Interested parties should go to ABB.com\careers and search for the Asheville location (even though the plant is in Weaverville).
70 Reems Creek Rd, Weaverville, NC 28787
828-645-1706
Thermo Fisher – We are hiring for entry level and experienced workers with an interest in manufacturing and working with their hands. For information on specific openings, click HERE for a list and to participate in their Virtual Job Fair.
220 Merrimon Ave, Weaverville, NC 28787
(937) 203-1501 – hiring manager
Resources for Internet Access, Rent, and Other Needs
Anyone who has trouble getting online for work, school, or other activities may be eligible for help through the Lifeline Program and the new Emergency Broadband Benefit program, which help people in need of internet assistance. Interested applicants should apply for each program by clicking here for Lifeline and here for Emergency Broadband Benefit.
Additionally, Buncombe County’s Health & Human Services can sometimes help with rent, utilities, food assistance, medical coverage, child care, and more. Anyone who needs assistance should call (828) 250-5500.
Dispose of and Recycle Electronics (May 1–3, Sat.–Mon.)
Ike's Hauling will be located in the parking lot behind the Weaverville Town Hall to accept discarded monitors, computers, phones, cables, etc. (Please remove any personal information from electronics.) May 1–2, Sat.–Sun. from 8 am–8 pm, and Mon., May 3 from 4 pm–7 pm. For a list of what they take, go to their website here.
They will also be in Woodfin at the end of May, where they will receive televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, and more. Any other time you have large items, simply call Ike’s Hauling to make an appointment for them to pick it up: 775-7720.
Tax Preparation Help
AARP Tax-Aide is up and running in the church’s drive-thru Connector area. Certified volunteers prepare and file tax returns for people with incomes under $50,000 and for seniors. The process this year minimizes in-person contact. Taxpayers drop off their documents by appointment and return the following week to pick up a printed copy of their returns. Email the tax preparers at AARPTaxesWeaverville@gmail.com. You will receive instructions and a link to make an appointment. People without internet access can call Joy at the church office (645-6720) and she will let the tax preparers know.
Pastoral Pandemic Reflections – One Year On
One year ago this week was the first week of our pandemic time. The previous Friday there was a special called staff meeting where we decided to cancel church that Sunday due to the increasing risk of the coronavirus. Then on Monday, March 16, we had another called staff meeting to figure what we and the church could do and would need to do in the days ahead. What a year it has been since.
There have been highs and lows, laughs and tears, sad from being lonely but worried about being in a group. There have been many changes and learning curves in all our lives. During different phases of the past year, different things needed to be done in different ways—for the church and everyone. It’s certainly not boring being a minister these days. But it has also certainly been a true honor to serve a church that is so compassionate, thoughtful, wise, willing, and good-hearted. All through the past year I have said, “If I had to go through the craziest year on record, at least I could go through it with our people here!” You have been a blessing to me for sure.
I have been thankful to the staff for figuring out new things they had to do. I’ve been thankful for the deacons and church leaders who helped facilitate needed discussions during difficult circumstances. And I am proud of our congregation—for you—in the way that it handled and dealt with this long crisis. With determination, wisdom, care, and humility. Through it all, you continued the two most important things: love God, and love your neighbors.
In a sermon last April, I said the following:
I know that there are a lot of problems, and fears, and uncertainties, and loss. But when I think of the people in our church, and I think of your hearts and your minds…. Folks, I believe this will be our finest hour. Because a crisis this big shows who people really are—as individuals and as a society. It’s easy to look good when things are easy, but during a crisis, your real self is shown, for better and for worse. And I have faith in us, right now, as we do show others who we really are and how we care about people and the power of God’s Spirit inside of us. This season is indeed a true test of faith, but we are in it together.
Those things have stayed true for the past year and on through today.
I have been reflecting and writing about what the year has been like. I felt it was important for history, for the church’s record, and just for me to remember. If you’re interested in reading more pandemic reflections, you can click HERE. I will be updating it from time to time. Although, it is long with lots of information. (You know how preachers like to talk.) For a shorter snapshot, here are some figures for what the church has done over the past year:
1,200 meals made and/or delivered
262 separate videos posted online for people to watch
13,140 total times that people have looked at our various videos
113,340 total minutes that people have watched us (about 1,889 hours!)
120 worship service DVDs made
4,100 visits to the church’s website for information and updates
370 posts published on social media (our website blog posts, the Facebook Page, Instagram, etc.)
21,950 people who saw at least one thing we posted on social media
104 e-mail newsletters sent out (not counting other e-mailed special announcements or pressing updates)
It’s been a full busy year, but full of good things to do. Here’s to another year of God’s wisdom guiding us, the Spirit’s strength sustaining us, and Christ’s compassion inspiring us.
Tax Assistance for Senior Adults
There is free tax assistance for seniors, made possible through AARP Tax-Aide, open to anyone. To participate:
E-mail your interest to AARPTaxesWeaverville@gmail.com .
You will receive an internet link to a website where you can make an appointment.
When scheduled, drop off your tax documents with the tax helpers in the Connector, without coming in the building.
The next Thursday, come back to pick up and sign your tax return.
(People without internet access can call the church to get a telephone contact number. Call that number on Mondays to make an appointment.)
Safe & Warm Heating Assistance
Safe & Warm is ABCCM's winter program that is designed to assist families with small children, the elderly, and veterans in need of heating assistance. Monetary donations to the program are used to prevent utility shut offs, re-connection of heating utilities, the paying of monthly heating bills, and filling oil/propane fuel tanks for heating. They also collect and distribute warm blankets to those in need.
Due to Covid-19 and the resulting unemployment and economic impact, Asheville-Buncombe County Christian Ministries (ABCCM) has seen a 30% rise in requests this season for heating assistance. They receive an average of 20 calls a day for this program alone and are in need of monetary and blanket donations from the community to help reach this critical need. If you are interested in contributing, you can find a list of drop off locations for blanket donations and a link to donate online at https://www.abccm.org/safeandwarm.
“Have a Heart for NBSM" collections
Even though we are not having inside worship, our neighbors still need food and other supplies. Let's show our support for North Buncombe Samaritan Ministry (NBSM) and the people in our community who need our help. You can take your donations to NBSM or drop them off at the church. The staff will be happy to accept it at the back door. (Please be sure and call before coming.) Below is a list of each week's needs:
February 7 - Self-rising Cornmeal and Flour, Sugar, Instant Grits, Oatmeal, Cream-of-Wheat, Cold Cereals, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Sandwich Bread
February 14 - Spaghetti Pasta & Sauce, Mac n Cheese, Canned Soups, Chili, Spam, Beef Stew, Tuna, and Canned Vegetables
February 21 - Toilet Tissue, Hand Soap, Washing Detergent, Dish Detergent, Shampoo, Toothpaste
February 28 - Baby Food, Diapers (all sizes), Baby Formula, Baby Shampoo, and Baby Bath Soap
They also accept cold foods, such as milk, cheese, eggs, etc., and gently used clothing items for adults and children. Thank you for your support!
Dealing with Stress
The Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463) connects North Carolinians to mental health professionals to help folks cope and build resilience during times of stress. Hope4NC also includes a Crisis Counseling Program tailored for Covid-19. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It’s important to make sure you are taking care of your mental health, as it affects your overall health. There are things you can do and resources available to help you maintain good mental fitness. Here are regular actions you can start now to improve and maintain your wellbeing:
The SCOOP on Managing Stress
S – Stay connected to family and friends. Social connections build resiliency.
C – Compassion for yourself and others. Self-compassion decreases trauma symptoms and stress.
O – Observe your use of substances (cigarettes, coffee, alcohol, etc.). Early intervention can prevent problems.
O – Okay to ask for help. Struggling is normal. Asking for help gets you tools to tackle problems.
P – Physical activity to improve your mood. Exercise boosts mood and lowers anxiety.
Help With Rent, Mortgage, and Utilities
If you are struggling to pay your rent or mortgage, Buncombe County’s Covid Housing Assistance Program may be able to help. Financial assistance is available to people affected by the pandemic who need support with rent, mortgage, or utilities. To qualify, households must meet the following eligibility requirements:
The applicant/household lost income due to Covid-19.
There is a sustainability plan to pay shelter expenses going forward after the County assists with past due bills.
Income limit of 200% of the federal poverty level ($52,400) for a family of four.
To apply or ask questions, call (828) 250-5500 to be connected with a caseworker. Or you can click here to view/print the application online, then e-mail it to dssmail@bumcombecounty.org or mail it to Health and Human Services at PO Box 7408, Asheville, 28802.