Throughout the past year, many hands have volunteered their time to help sort, pack, and distribute free food boxes through curbside Community Engagement Markets. A partnership amongst our organization, MANNA Foodbank, and Buncombe County Government has ensured three monthly contactless curbside markets are accessible and spread throughout the county at Erwin Middle School, Enka Middle School, and Isaac Dickson Elementary. One set of those helping hands are those of Erwin Middle School mother Marisela Medrano, who has dedicated her time each month to support this ongoing effort to meet the increased need for food support.
When asked why she chooses to share her time in community, Medrono says "Being a mother of a student here, I want to appreciate all that I receive from others while setting an example for my daughters. I want to show them that sometimes it doesn't cost a whole lot to give back-- an hour or two can go a long way to help a lot of people."