In This Month's Update

• Back To School Blessings Event

•Our Current Needs

•IAM Thrift Store Open House September 7th

•Join IAM in the 40th Annual Hunger Walk on September 17th

•Our New Refrigerator Truck

•Thank You Providence Baptist Church

•Get Together For IAM Oct 14,15,16

•IAM's Current Volunteer Needs

Our Back To School Blessings event was a huge success!  

IAM provided new and gently used school clothes to over 210 children getting ready for a new school year during the past two weeks. We provided each child with one new outfit, new socks and underwear, a new pair of shoes, and up to five used outfits.

We also handed out goodie bags for each child and held a drawing for special prizes for neighbors who participated in the event. 

We are thrilled to help so many children start the new school year with pride and confidence as they return to class. Thanks to everyone who donated items for this special event and to all our IAM Volunteers who worked extra hard to help our youngest neighbors. Blessings all around!

Our Pantry and Clothing Needs for August

The Henderson Country Hunger Coalition will be holding its 40th Annual Hunger Walk Saturday, September 17th at Jackson Park. IAM invites all of our volunteers and friends in the community to join us as we celebrate and support this vital initiative to help our neighbors in need. 

We are particularly excited this year to be walking in person after two years of “virtual walks” due to COVID. Walkers may choose between a 1 Mile Fun Run or a 5 Mile Walk through Jackson Park. Walkers, who check in at Picnic Shelter No. 1, can walk anytime between 7:30 and 11:30 p.m.  A limited number of T-shirts will be distributed at the Walk on a first come first serve basis.

IAM is incredibly grateful for the support from Hunger Coalition to assist with our food purchasing. We truly could not meet the food requests we receive each year without them! Thank you, Hunger Coalition!

IAM Thrift Store Fall Open House


Wednesday, September 7th


5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Please join us for our: 

• IAM Thrift StoreFall Preview
• A walking fashion show
• Light refreshments

Bring a donation of Personal Care Items for our IAM Pantry and receive a 20% discount on purchases made during the open house.

 Please be generous to our neighbors in need. Suggested items include body wash, soap and body lotion, shampoo and conditioner, razors and shaving cream, chapstick and lip balm, children’s and adult toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as personal hygiene items. Thank you!

IAM is thrilled to add a new refrigerator truck to further enhance our IAM Pantry programs and services. This wonderful addition was made possible by generous grants from WNC Bridge Foundation and The Cannon Foundation. Both organizations are wonderful partners in our ongoing efforts to better serve all of our neighbors in need in Henderson County.

Our new Mobile Pantry will allow us to attend more community events with meat, dairy and produce that will remain fresh even after several hours during the warmer weather. It will also help keep food fresh in transit after we visit MANNA Foodbank and our local grocery stores to pick up food to stock our pantry.

Look for the IAM Mobile Pantry as we travel around the community to better serve our neighbors in need!

For over 11 years now, Providence Baptist members Glenda and Philip have been bringing food donations to IAM’s Pantry on Monday mornings. The food is left over from Providence Baptist Church’s weekly Sunday Worship Meal for homeless and food insecure neighbors. The church collects food from Fresh Market and a partner church in Asheville to prepare the meals. 

The church typically serves a sit-down meal to about 20-30 neighbors and provides groceries to another 10-15 neighbors from their collections. Anything that is not distributed or served on Sunday is then donated to IAM on Mondays. 

We are so grateful for all the caring hearts in our community, like Glenda and Philip, who give their time and energy to help improve the lives of our neighbors in need.

Thank you, Glenda, Philip, and Providence Baptist Church!

Photo: (L to R) Tom Stark, IAM Pantry Manager, Marjorie Murphy, IMA Door Ambassador, Philip and Glenda of Providence Baptist Church.

Want to help IAM help our neighbors in need of crisis services? 

Host a ‘Get Together for IAM’ on your deck, patio, in your yard, on your porch or inside your home on October 14, 15 or 16th. Enjoy an afternoon with friends and neighbors while extending your caring hearts and helping hands to make a difference for our neighbors who are struggling to care for their families.

You provide brunch, luncheon, appetizers or dinner and beverages (iced tea, lemonade, cider, adult beverages -- whatever you like). IAM will provide information about IAM and raffle prizes. You can even get creative and host a card party or a football-watching party or any kind of friend-raiser that you can think up!

Each host will ask attendees to make a suggested donation of $50 or more to help fund IAM. 

For more information on how you can participate, please call Diana Spitzer at (828) 697-7029 or email at diana@iam-hc.org. Thank you!) 697-7029

Are you looking for a way to give back to our community? Consider joining IAM as a volunteer. Volunteers typically work one four-hour shift per week and we have a number of different opportunities to fit your skills, physical ability, and interests.  

Current High Priority Needs:

• Clothing Assistance Department: Thursday Mornings 
• Clothing Sorters: Monday Mornings, Tuesdays, Thursday Afternoons, and Fridays
• IAM Thrift Store: Friday Afternoon and Saturdays

Learn more about volunteering at IAM here. Or contact Amy Lewis, Volunteer Coordinator at 828.697-7029 ext. 215 or email her at volunteer.manager@iam-hc.org.

Thank you for your care and support!

• $5,000 & up: Provide vital support for service programs: food, financial assistance with rent, utility bills and gasoline vouchers, clothing and linens, personal hygiene and cleaning items and more 
• $2,500: Purchase enough food to feed 100 adults and children for a week 
• $1,000: Provide the security deposit on a new apartment for a single mother struggling to keep her three young children safe, fed, and succeeding in school 
• $500: Pay an elderly veteran's utility bill to keep his lights on and the heat on when it’s freezing outside 
• $250: Purchase 25 cases of diapers for new mothers struggling to make ends meet 
• $100: Provide a “Back-to School” new clothing and shoes kit for three elementary students 
• $50: Provide bed linens for a family setting up their new apartment $25 Feed a neighbor in need for a week