Last year, Dwight* lost his wife of 40 years. They had been together since they were 15 years old and losing his wife shattered Dwight’s heart and threw his life into disarray. Needing a helping hand, he turned to IAM.

Dwight is disabled due to issues with his back. When his wife died, he lost both his life partner and her income. To further complicate matters, Dwight’s wife paid all the bills and generally took care of managing the household. Faced with an overdue $730 electricity bill he could not afford to pay, Dwight came to IAM for utility assistance.

Disconnection of his electricity would mean the loss of all the food in his refrigerator and freezer. This bill came on the heels of a $348 water bill caused by a water leak at this house. Fortunately, the City of Hendersonville helps IAM with funding for overdue bills and leak repairs.

For the IAM volunteer listening to Dwight’s problems, it was clear that his life was in danger of spiraling out of control. Very often, the first step towards homelessness or a catastrophic health issue is a single bill that cannot be paid – which leads to cascading problems that become insurmountable.

Fortunately, IAM was able to assist Dwight with his power bill. IAM also followed up with Duke Energy to see if Dwight would qualify for relief for elderly and low-income customers. IAM also provided him with nutritious food from the IAM pantry and encouraged him to return to the pantry as he continued to rebuild his life. Free food from the IAM pantry helps in two ways – by providing healthy nutrition and by allowing neighbors to redirect their scarce resources to paying their essential housing, utility, prescription, and transportation bills.

A year after his wife’s death, Dwight still grieves. But with the caring assistance of IAM’s staff, volunteers, and generous donors, Dwight has the opportunity to rebuild his life. Most importantly, Dwight, along with thousands of other neighbors helped by IAM, knows that there are compassionate people in our community willing to offer a helping hand to get him through a difficult time.

*Name changed 

Would you like to help our neighbors in need?

Mail your donations to:

IAM

PO Box 2562

Hendersonville, NC 28793

Or donate online now.

IAM is thrilled to announce that E.R. Haire has joined the IAM team as our new Director of Services and Operations.

E.R. has many years of management experience and has always wanted to devote his skills and heart to nonprofit work. He holds a Ph.D. in theology from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has taught at Fairfield University and the University of Edinburgh. He is a member of St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock.

“I have long known about the great work that IAM is doing to help those in need here in Henderson County," says E.R. "I am delighted to be here and look forward to being a part of IAM and to experience the growth that is coming in the near future. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of IAM and serve the good people of our community."

E.R. can be reached at er.haire@iam-hc.org.

Please join all us at IAM as we welcome E.R. team to our team.

A great "Thank You!" to the Cannon Foundation for a recent grant of $70,000 that will be used to help fund our pending pantry expansion.

The need for food assistance continues to swell in Henderson County and the pantry expansion will allow IAM to provide more nutritious food options to more of our area neighbors in need. 

Thank you, Cannon Foundation!

IAM is excited to once again participate in the Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive on Saturday, May 11th.

Residents of Henderson County are invited to leave bags of non-perishable food items at their mailbox to be picked up by the letter carriers. Donations will distributed to IAM, The Storehouse, and The Salvation Army.

IAM appreciates all the letter carriers and compassionate neighbors who participate in this wonderful opportunity for our community to come together to combat food insecurity in Henderson County.

Mark your calendars and make plans help us feed our hungry neighbors in need!

IAM’s Mobile Pantry has been serving our neighbors throughout Henderson County for over one year now and it has been a huge success in the fight against food insecurity in our community!

Offering traditional and Latino foods, IAM’s Mobile Pantry serves neighbors who are unable to visit our pantry at 310 Freeman St. Hendersonville in person. 

See and download our monthly schedule here.

IAM Thrift Store has two very special events coming up in May!

In celebration of Mother’s Day, the Thrift Store will be holding a Potted Plant Sale on May 10th and 11th with flowers and vegetables. Pick up something for Mom or celebrate yourself with a potted plant.

Also, our Annual Spring Fling will be May 17th and 18th. This year’s event will include a Fine Jewelry Trunk Sale, 20% off discounts on everything in the store and free refreshments.

Come celebrate Spring – and great bargains - at IAM Thrift Store.

Impact of Your Gift

(Equivalent nutrient-dense meals for our neighbors in need)

$1,000 – provides 320 meals

$500 – provides 160 meals

$250 – provides 80 meals

$100 – provides 32 meals

$50 – provides 16 meals

$25 – provides 8 meals