Nourishing Hope: The Community Impact of Local Food Drives and the Stamp Out Hunger Campaign

Discover the heartbeat of our communities as we unpack the transformative power of local food drives, with a special focus on the upcoming Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Amidst the backdrop of Western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina's economic disparities, we delve into the pivotal role these initiatives play in keeping our neighbors nourished and hopeful. Special guest, Lynn Staggs from the Storehouse of Henderson County, joins us to share her frontline experience with the remarkable 52% surge in demand for their services and unveils an inspiring new project set to bolster their support for the community.

As soaring home prices and living costs cast shadows over many, we illuminate the stories of those working tirelessly to bridge the gap between abundance and need. This episode is a tapestry of compassion and action, highlighting the collective efforts of local nonprofits, the vital contributions of volunteers, and the month-long lifeline provided by the food drive. The dedication of our letter carriers and volunteers takes center stage, reaffirming the belief that together, we can counter adversity with an outpouring of community support that resonates long after the last donation is collected. Join us for an earnest conversation about lending a hand and the enduring impact of rallying around our shared humanity.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Hello friends, thank you so much for being here. This is the George Real Estate Group podcast, which is a production of our live weekly radio shows hosted on multiple radio stations here in Hendersonville, north Carolina. The George Real Estate Group serves Western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina and it is a privilege to share positive news about our local real estate market and community. Thanks so much for subscribing and, of course, if you have any real estate questions or if we can help you in any way, be sure to reach out. Visit us at georgerrealestategroupradiocom for more information. Good morning and welcome to the George Real Estate Group live radio broadcast here on WHKP Every Thursday morning, bringing you positive news about your local real estate market community. Grateful to be here with you, sharing with you what's going on. We have an exciting lineup of guests this morning which I'll introduce to you here in just a second.

Speaker 1: 0:59

But if you're tuning in, for the first time ever, george Real Estate Group is located in Flat Rock, right next to the Flat Rock Bakery, hubba Hubba Barbecue, campfire Grill, very dangerous place for a real estate office with all those great restaurants, and I say the smells are free. But if you've not stopped by again, stop by. Visit our friends on Rainbow Road. There in Flat Rock, the George Real Estate Group services all of western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. We have the privilege and honor of helping over 1,400 families throughout the years. If we can help you, if you're just curious what your home is worth, if you're thinking about buying, thinking about selling or you're just curious, we'd love to help you. You can give us a call at 828-393-0134. Find us online at realestatebygregcom. You can also subscribe to our podcast. We podcast all of our live radio shows and you can find that on your favorite podcast platform and just stop by our office or call us. However, we can help you. We know real estate happens around life. It could be a really positive reason why you're buying or selling. It could be a challenging reason. No matter what it is, we're there to walk alongside our clients navigating through what's going on.

Speaker 1: 2:04

Just a quick market update and snapshot the average single-family home price in Henderson County is at $541. That's up significantly. I mean 7%, 8% compared to the previous 12 months. The other fascinating thing is year-to-date. We're almost on par Year-to-date. There's been just within less than 10 home difference between how many homes have sold this year versus how many homes sold last year and that's in spite of these interest rates and part of that's because of all the cash buyers. Almost 40% of the homes sold in Henderson County are purchased with cash, which is incredible, and that's a trend that's continuing to go up. And the other fascinating thing is prices keep going up because of the low inventory levels Very low. There's only 300 and change 314 active single-family homes on the market. So, regardless of the market, regardless of the economy, the market's the market and if it's right for you, we're here to provide information, provide clarity so you can make a decision for what's right for you.

Speaker 1: 3:10

Before we get started with the interview and conversations this morning about a very special event coming up this Saturday which we'll jump into, I need and want to say thank you to our radio show sponsors, jim Rawlings and Quality Home Consultants. Those guys have, for the last few decades, have done over 35,000 home inspections over the years here in Western North Carolina Incredible experience. Not only do they do home inspections, they do pests, they do radon, they do septic. They are incredible. You don't have to be buying or selling to be calling them If you want to have somebody go in and check out your crawl space or go up on your roof or do an inspection on your home. It's like getting your oil changed. I mean, you know, if you own a home, you know have your home inspected regularly. You can also, if you need septic service or repair, they can help you out there too. Quality home consultants Jim Rawlings and his team are incredible Also want to say thank you to Justin Lauder.

Speaker 1: 4:01

With Pure Haven Photography, they make our properties come to life. Thank you to Justin Lauder. With Pure Haven Photography, they make our properties come to life. We've been committed to using professional, high-end photography for all of our listings. I mean, we've been doing that for years. I mean way before it was considered common or normal, but it's the commitment. Whether it's a $100,000 house or a million-dollar house, we've been using professional photography because it really makes a difference. That's the first impression people see when they look on the internet for homes for sale. And again, you don't necessarily have to be selling a home to be calling Justin Lauder and Pure Haven Photography. They do drone photography. Maybe you want to have your land droned. Maybe you want to have a rental property professionally photographed. I mean there's a lot of different reasons you can use their services. And again, they're a critical piece of our process as well. You know quality home consultants and Jim Rawlings and Pure Haven Photography. Thank you both for your partnership and also just how you take care of our clients. You know day in and day out as we're helping our clients navigate through the buying and selling process.

Speaker 1: 4:59

And one more thing again we're actually growing. You might say that might be counterintuitive, but we've actually. We have more agents working for us, which means we've actually helped more people year to date than we did last year. And that's in spite of the market being flat for what it is. But again, prices keep going up and there's certainly a need for more great real estate agents. So if you thought about a career in real estate, we'd love to have the conversation with you.

Speaker 1: 5:21

We have a full house today, this Saturday. This Saturday is Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers, actually started in 1993. It's the nation's largest single day food drive and it is significant. It is coming up this Saturday, may 11th, and we're going to talk about all things in regards to the food drive. And the other thing to point out is the difference that it makes, and we're going to have this conversation. There are three wonderful nonprofits in the studio with us this morning and I'm introducing them to you. But they directly benefit from this food drive here in Hendersonville and Henderson County.

Speaker 1: 6:04

And again, this is held all across the United States and I'll introduce our guests. But I am going to jump into the conversation. But we have Elizabeth Moss with IAM Interfaith Assistance Ministry, we have Emily Sherlin with Salvation Army and Lynn Staggs with the Storehouse of Henderson County so thankful to have all of you here and especially our special guest Arkavia with the Storehouse of Henderson County. So thankful to have all of you here, and especially our special guest Arkavia with the United States Postal Service. Good morning, arkavia. I'm going to get you in front of the mic there first, and you joined us last year, which I was so thankful to have you here with us. But good morning and welcome to the mic. Good morning, this event, I know, has special meaning for you, but let's back up. How long have you been with the United States Postal Service?

Speaker 2: 6:49

12 years 12 years.

Speaker 1: 6:51

Yes.

Speaker 2: 6:51

Are you originally from this area? No, originally from Pontiac Michigan. Okay, the greatest city in the world. Oh, there we go.

Speaker 1: 6:58

You might have some argument there. I mean Hendersonville maybe is a quick close second in your mind. Yeah, yeah, definitely, that's so funny. But you've been in service and work with the United States Postal Service. Now when did you first learn or experience the food drive?

Speaker 2: 7:15

When I started in 2012.

Speaker 1: 7:18

And so from day one I mean it was on your radar. What was your first experience with that? I mean it was on your radar. What was your first experience with that?

Speaker 2: 7:24

I thought it was awesome to actually be able to go out and give back to my community. That's how I felt about it to be able to pick up this food. I knew it was going locally in our community and it was just a small part of what I could do to help out.

Speaker 1: 7:43

Now, if I remember correctly, you've been the recipient. You've shared your story with us before. It's a very powerful story. Again, you've been on both sides of this.

Speaker 2: 7:55

I have 2010,. My family experienced the house fire and I remember that about two days later we were in a local food pantry in the neighboring county and I'm just grabbing a few little things. I have a family of four children, my husband and I'm just grabbing a few things because I didn't want to take too much. I knew it was other people that needed it and one one of the workers came up to me. She said no, honey, this food is here for you. And she just started loading my cart up and all I could do was stand in the middle of that warehouse and just cry. And I know it was because of donations from people like our listeners that made this possible.

Speaker 1: 8:43

I mean, I know none of us expect to be in that situation, and yet you found yourself there.

Speaker 2: 8:48

Exactly.

Speaker 1: 8:49

And the difference that a food pantry had was. I mean, you were speechless.

Speaker 2: 8:55

Yeah, I was speechless. I couldn't say anything. I mean, I just stood there and cried while they pushed my shopping cart through there and just loaded it up.

Speaker 1: 9:04

Incredible and talk about. I mean this is amazing. Come around the other side of the coin. I mean the other side of the story. Here you are now, 12 years now, with the United States Postal Service, with the National Association of Letter Carriers doing the food drive every year now.

Speaker 2: 9:20

Yes.

Speaker 1: 9:22

And how does that make you feel?

Speaker 2: 9:24

Just a small way to give back. I feel good. Every year I get excited for this time to come around, because I know that the effort that I put in will go to help someone in need the way I was back in 2010.

Speaker 1: 9:39

That's a powerful story. That's amazing. Now let's talk about some of the details. Before we continue on with some of the details, uh, and before we continue to continue on with some of the other conversations. You know this is this saturday, may 11th. I mean, you know this sunday is, you know, happy is mother's day. So happy mother's day to all our mothers out there. Um, and appropriate that it is on mother's day weekend, yes, um, but what does this look like? You, you, you don't any, anybody and everybody can participate with this.

Speaker 2: 10:05

Yes, anybody. If you have a mailbox at your house, you can put food out, Even if you don't. If you do a PO box, there's a drop box at your local post office to drop food off.

Speaker 1: 10:22

And so this is held across the United States. Yes, and so all these mail routes and mail carriers are collecting the donations left at each of the mailboxes.

Speaker 3: 10:33

Yes.

Speaker 1: 10:33

And it's pretty straightforward. I mean, you want non-perishable food, you know vegetables, canned fruit, peanut butter, things like that, not expired Right that you can place at your mailbox, and then you and the mail carriers are picking it up, bringing it back to the distribution center. Yes, and now I understand you have a lot of volunteers that come in.

Speaker 2: 10:58

This day Is that right, we do. We thankful that it lines up with the United Ways weekend of giving back, so we have a lot of volunteers. It's like an assembly line. We pull into the station with our trucks loaded down. They come, they unload everything and it's just a weld oil machine.

Speaker 1: 11:20

That's amazing. Any other tips you might share with our listeners? Oh, by the way, they might think there might be some misunderstanding. You do not have to have a special bag to leave your items right.

Speaker 2: 11:35

You do not have to have a special bag. I've had people leave two or three cans in their mailbox. You can leave a box store bags. Most people have those kind of lying around. Some people do have bags, some people don't. But just however, whatever means you have to leave food, please do.

Speaker 1: 11:59

And again, the food stays here, it stays in the community. It has a local impact. Yes, and speaking of which, there are three incredible nonprofits here in the house with us this morning, and we'll first start off with Kim. Sorry, yes, sorry, emily Sherlin, with Salvation Army. I apologize for that. Sorry, emily Sherlin, with Salvation Army, I apologize for that, but, emily, thank you so much for being here with Salvation Army. What is this program and what does this food drive mean to you and your organization?

Speaker 5: 12:33

Oh well, the food drive with the Salvation Army means a whole lot to the people that we serve. It means that they can receive more variety and more nutrition in the food that they are receiving. You know we function off of donations from the community and we also receive food from man of Food Bank. But even with all of that those immediate needs are not always met. So the food from the food drive actually helps us fund, I would say, about a third of the food that we give out every year Of your yearly food actually helps us fund.

Speaker 5: 12:59

I would say about a third of the food that we give out every year, of your yearly food. Yes, about a third, and it really depends upon how much is received. So I know in the years past there was a lot of food that came in. There's been an ebb and flow for sure.

Speaker 5: 13:11

There has been. So when I started at the Salvation Army in 2019, I came in at the tail end of the food drive and then the pandemic hit. We didn't have a food drive in 20 or 21 because of the pandemic, so when it came back in 22, it was a lot more. There was a lot more donations, Participation, yeah. So it's been a great benefit to the Salvation Army and, you know, of course, to the people that we serve who are the most in need. You know, we're continuing to see people that have never come to a food pantry are working, sometimes a full-time job and a part-time job.

Speaker 1: 13:44

Just to make ends meet, just to make ends meet, and that's still not enough.

Speaker 5: 13:47

That's right. It's still not enough for them, so they come in stressed they're anxious. They very much appreciate the food and we have donated food from Blue Ridge Humane Society for the dog and cat food.

Speaker 5: 13:58

Oh wow, so that makes a huge difference as well. I really can't put into words exactly how much the food drive means to us. It helps us continue the mission of the Salvation Army, which is, to you know, pretty much reach everyone that is in need of whatever need that may be without discrimination, of whatever need that may be without discrimination. So we take that mission very seriously and we are extremely appreciative of the food that is received, and I'm just blessed to be a part of it.

Speaker 1: 14:25

That's amazing. How long have you been with the Salvation?

Speaker 5: 14:28

Army Five years in August.

Speaker 1: 14:30

Okay, and again, salvation Army has a very legacy and historical story, but specifically in Henderson County.

Speaker 5: 14:39

The Salvation Army was actually started in Henderson County in 1925 as an outpost of the Asheville Salvation Army, oh fascinating. Oh, next year's your 100th anniversary, Well give or take, because then it closed down because of the Depression and some of the other things that occurred and then it was still there, but not in really a big format.

Speaker 5: 15:00

And then it came back to full format in 1964. So we are actually at our 60 years this year for being in Henderson County and being a fully functioning core, which is a community center for the community. Essentially, we have all kinds of events at the salvation army that don't have anything to do with food but very much benefit the community, like cornhole tournaments and people who come in and play ping pong and we have gymnasium gymnasium is huge because it's one of the only large event centers in the county.

Speaker 1: 15:35

Wow.

Speaker 5: 15:36

So we have lots of different luncheons that happen. We have quinceaneras. It's a community center it is so it's used a lot.

Speaker 1: 15:45

And if our listeners don't know where it's located, where are you located?

Speaker 5: 15:48

We're located at the corner of 4th and Grove in downtown Hendersonville.

Speaker 1: 15:52

Have you been there since the 60s?

Speaker 5: 15:53

Yes, we have actually been there the whole time.

Speaker 1: 15:56

Wow.

Speaker 5: 15:56

Yes, our thrift store is no longer open, but we are still on the property and doing the Lord's work.

Speaker 1: 16:03

Incredible. Emily, thank you so much for being here. And again, the food drive has you said, a third of your annual food distribution. Yes, sir, that's significant.

Speaker 5: 16:12

Yes, it is especially at a time where you know this is traditionally a low time of giving Right. You know this is traditionally a low time of giving. Right, you know, and we have that transition coming where the children are going to be out of school.

Speaker 1: 16:19

You're right.

Speaker 5: 16:20

They're going to be missing those meals, those two meals a day that they traditionally receive within the school system Incredible. So there'll be families coming in that need that extra food.

Speaker 1: 16:29

Yeah, the timing is very important. Yes, sir, awesome. Lynn Staggs of the Storehouse of Henderson County, thank you so much for being here this morning.

Speaker 6: 16:38

Good morning.

Speaker 1: 16:41

Good morning and year-round, you guys are doing this too. Yes, and this is your 24th year.

Speaker 6: 16:47

Going into 25.

Speaker 1: 16:48

25 years, and what's the impact of the food drive for your organization?

Speaker 6: 16:53

Well, it saves us for this time of year we have been just. Our numbers are up so much.

Speaker 1: 17:02

When you say that, let's clarify that I mean the need is up.

Speaker 6: 17:05

The need is up, so it's usually about. I think at our last board meeting we were doing the numbers, we were up about 52% year to total what we served last year.

Speaker 1: 17:17

This year to date, versus last year, is 52% up.

Speaker 6: 17:20

We just did the new numbers. So when we did the radio the other day I was doing April's numbers. Now we're into May, so we did new numbers.

Speaker 1: 17:28

Wow.

Speaker 6: 17:29

And it's just incredible because, like you said, people we've never seen before, people we've seen before. Then we have our, you know, just sporadic people walking in. We get a lot of walk-ins at this time of year.

Speaker 1: 17:44

Now there's some difference. I guess I mean you guys again, all three of your organizations are serving Henderson County, but I mean the demographics tend to be a little different between your organizations.

Speaker 6: 17:56

I don't think the demographics are different. Each one of us serves in different ways. We don't do any financial assistance. Salvation Army and Interfaith do. But we do Christmas and Interfaith refers a lot of people to us for Christmas and Salvation Army does Christmas. So we kind of overlap in a good kind of way, but we are working together.

Speaker 1: 18:21

Yeah, the collaboration is incredible.

Speaker 6: 18:24

That's the one beautiful thing about this community that all the non-profits play so nicely together.

Speaker 1: 18:29

Yeah, and you guys have an exciting new building project going on. We'll mention that.

Speaker 6: 18:35

Yes, building project going on. We'll mention that. Yes, we are. We are getting ready to go into fundraising mode here later, a little bit later in the year. We've got some property down on sparkberg highway right next to east flat rock first baptist church and it's so new that I don't know the address. That's bad. It's 1.7 miles from where I am now.

Speaker 3: 18:54

I have you know how to get there I do know how to get there.

Speaker 6: 18:57

Get there with your eyes closed but we'll be right there on the bus route again and we're right next to the church and we will have a lot more space to work in and we'll be able to do some things that our space confines us from doing now right, and what percentage uh is this food drive?

Speaker 1: 19:15

how does that impact you guys?

Speaker 6: 19:16

well, it usually gets us through maybe a month, month and a half. I mean, we're passing out boxes left and right and you know we're getting food from Anna and we're also purchasing food from the stores.

Speaker 1: 19:29

Right.

Speaker 6: 19:30

So I don't know what we would do without the local connections Aldi's and Go Groceries, sam's Club and Landing Depot, and there's other little stores that just they'll call us and go hey we got in a ship load of this. Do y'all need any shampoo and conditioner, or yeah?

Speaker 6: 19:48

because you guys not only do food, you also do paper products and hygiene and we use a lot of that on our senior delivery routes right we're taking. We had four guys go out today in all the rain that was here earlier. There's a lot of that on our senior delivery routes Right we're taking. We had four guys go out today in all the rain that was here earlier there's a lot of rain.

Speaker 6: 20:03

They loaded their cars down and they were doing two different routes in the community today. Wow, so every week we've got different routes going out to the seniors who were shut in.

Speaker 1: 20:13

Incredible. Lynn, thank you so much for being here. Elizabeth Moss with IAM, good morning. Let me get the mic going there. Thank you so much for being here this morning.

Speaker 7: 20:22

Thank you for having us.

Speaker 1: 20:24

Interfaith Assistance Ministry. You guys are celebrating your 40th year.

Speaker 7: 20:28

Yes, we're really, really thrilled and we are grateful for the generosity of this community. They helped us build. We've been where Lynn has been and we're actually having to expand our pantry right now, but this community built a $3.3 million building.

Speaker 1: 20:48

Incredible.

Speaker 7: 20:49

Services building for us seven years ago.

Speaker 1: 20:50

That's amazing.

Speaker 7: 20:51

And I want to thank the generosity of everyone who I know wants to help mothers who worry every day about how to feed their children. There's so many food insecure people in this community. You know our listeners might say I don't know, I don't get it. Why?

Speaker 1: 21:09

Yeah, let's talk about that. I mean, this is again, it's sort of out of sight, out of mind. I mean, and I've you know I was sharing at the beginning. I mean our average price is over almost $550,000. I mean, like there's incredible prosperity here, but on the other side, there's great need as well, and you were, you know, know, previously you shared some unbelievable numbers, the, the amount of people that I mean. What? What are we saying? We're at about 120, 130 or 140 000 people that live here.

Speaker 7: 21:36

Now, right, and and the amount of you said the you had, was it almost 20 000 unique people you served yes, uh, it's over 18 000 I mean that's staggering, unique, and that means the total visits that we have, because we allow people who are living in permanent crisis Some people are living in a short-time crisis and if we can help them from falling off that cliff into abject poverty when you get in a hole that you can't dig out of we're helping those people and their working families, usually working low-paying jobs, but that's the best they can do right and we're also helping.

Speaker 7: 22:17

Lynn's great about talking about our senior citizens. We have people living on 700 a month, or less or less, and we're in the biggest cost of living crisis we've been in in 40 years. Food costs are at an all-time high.

Speaker 1: 22:34

Astronomical I mean. I know everybody experiences it when you go to the grocery store, but I mean when every dollar matters, and if you don't have those dollars, I mean that's devastating for those in need.

Speaker 7: 22:48

It is devastating, for for those in need it is, and rents are so high right now that um the minimum rents are starting at a thousand now and a lot of times for a horrible situation just shack or trailer that's not insulated right or has mold in it. People are paying up to two thousand dollars and the trend that we're seeing you're probably seeing this too at Salvation Army lately is the household sizes, because we track everyone who comes in they're growing.

Speaker 7: 23:17

Yes, we're having more and more families double up like the multi-generational or just families both wow and live together. Yeah, just to make it work so, and the other thing is just, you know people, this is the second highest rents in this state here after buncombe, so people can't afford the rents. They're having to live um farther and farther out and we don't have real transportation that's public here.

Speaker 7: 23:44

Yeah, so you. It's all. If you combine all of those things, it's a fabulous place to live. I love it. We raised our kids here. I can't say enough about the generosity of our community.

Speaker 1: 23:57

There's need.

Speaker 3: 23:57

There is need and you really have to.

Speaker 7: 24:00

it's easy to not see it If you're driving from a lovely neighborhood in Laurel Park or Flat Rock, you don't see it?

Speaker 1: 24:08

Yeah, you don't.

Speaker 7: 24:14

Laurel Park or Flat Rock? You don't see it.

Speaker 1: 24:16

Yeah, you don't, and I, frankly, had no clue how bad it was until I took this job seven years ago. That's incredible and that's where every little bit can go so far, when people I mean and this is why we're having this radio program this morning to talk about, you know, to talk about the needs here in the community and where our listeners can make a difference. It feels almost impossible, but again, you can make a difference in someone's life and you can make a difference this weekend, this Saturday. How does the food drive impact? Iam?

Speaker 7: 24:45

It usually helps us out for about a month, because we're seeing 75 households on average every day. That every day with a full food order for a week and that's significant oh, it's huge. Before the pandemic, 30 was a lot and you've more than doubled.

Speaker 1: 25:04

Yes, and and it's just, you know it's easy out of sight, out of mind. Again, we want to bring awareness to it and I obviously encourage our listeners to do and participate this Saturday, but all three of your organizations, year-round there's opportunities to give and to volunteer. I mean, you want to speak to that.

Speaker 7: 25:24

Yes, we constantly. All of us need volunteers. If you can come help us. We need help with financial services interviewers that help determine how much you need for your rent. We do budgets with everyone and help them figure out how to get on track. We do referrals. We also help people with personal hygiene items, the pet food from Blue or germane society, linens, towels, sheets, homeless products, tents, transportation vouchers for gasoline one of the missing utilities. We have a huge clothing closet. We're about to start our back-to-school drive, where every child in elementary school will get a new outfit from head to toe and then several other gently used ones because we want the kids to start.

Speaker 1: 26:20

With confidence.

Speaker 7: 26:21

With confidence and at the same level that the other kids whose parents can buy them that new back-to-school outfit. But while I'm speaking, I want to thank the letter carriers, because this is an easy it's a hard day for them.

Speaker 1: 26:39

It's a sacrifice. It is, it's a sacrifice, and your entire organization across the country is doing this. And then the volunteers. But I mean thank you for bringing that up again, elizabeth. I mean we're just so thankful for arcadia and everybody at the usps and the national uh association of letter carriers.

Speaker 7: 26:56

this is a it's a big deal and if anybody over there needs help, please send them to us. All, right, we we're absolutely, we we've served people with um master's degrees who get in trouble anyone. It can happen to anybody.

Speaker 1: 27:11

I mean even our cave-ish story. I mean like again, you know. I mean crisis can happen, home fire. I mean like you can lose your job. I mean none of us are immune to challenges. That's right, yeah, and until you need it. You don't know how much a difference it can make in someone's life.

Speaker 7: 27:29

You don't. And as you're thinking about what food to put out tomorrow, think about a mom.

Speaker 1: 27:35

Or Saturday.

Speaker 7: 27:36

I mean Saturday.

Speaker 1: 27:37

It's okay.

Speaker 7: 27:37

Sorry, my brain is already there. Think about a mom and think about, or a single dad and think about what you want your kids to eat. If it were you, what food would you want to put out in that bag?

Speaker 1: 27:52

Yeah, I mean there might be some temptation, if we're honest, like looking in your pantry what am I not using? But come on, make a special trip to the grocery store and think about who's going to be receiving it. And, by the way, all gifts are accepted, I mean. I know we're so thankful for any generosity.

Speaker 7: 28:14

And there's an opportunity to be intentional about what you leave absolutely like.

Speaker 1: 28:18

We're really not looking for candy or capers or anchovies or clam juice, yeah, but again, think about what practically can make a difference but you know, sometimes too, we're looking at what costs the most to put on the shelves.

Speaker 6: 28:33

Peanut butter and jelly is high people, and people give peanut butter by the bucketfuls. Jelly is the most expensive thing that we put on the shelves, and how can you eat peanut butter without jelly? That's right.

Speaker 7: 28:45

That and canned meats and tuna Okay Canned fruit.

Speaker 1: 28:49

Yes, all of that Again, non-perishable, non-expired current items. No, this matters. I mean, I'm glad we're talking about this.

Speaker 7: 28:58

And cereal too.

Speaker 6: 29:00

Yes, cereals, Any kind of cereal, grits, oatmeal, all of that.

Speaker 1: 29:05

Yeah, and this is significant. Since the beginning they've actually collected over 1.82 billion pounds of food since in 1993 when the National Association of Letter Carriers started this. I mean that's significant. And I think the tens of thousands of pounds here locally I mean is staggering. I don't know Not to throw you. I mean is staggering, it is. I don't know Not to throw you, you know not to make you quote numbers, but I mean we've talked about some of these numbers before. I mean it's staggering the tons of food, literally tons of food collected here. Yes, and so what it looks like on Saturday is my understanding is your three organizations have three trucks. That's true, right, and then the donations are shared distributed.

Speaker 6: 29:54

There's a rotation in loading. We put two pallets on one truck and then move in the next truck. Put two pallets on it, move in the next truck, because you can put two pallets side by side.

Speaker 1: 30:04

And is it multiple truckloads? It's not just one truckload. Sometimes Depends on how much we receive, depends on the year.

Speaker 7: 30:14

Well, Emily's got the biggest truck, so she doesn't have to make as many trips as the rest of us. That's amazing. I want to give one more shout out to United Way and their help with organizing this and coordinating so many volunteers. That will be at the annex For the distribution. And a big thank you to those volunteers. We'll have whole families that come out Wow. You'll see kids that are helping. They love it and it's such a good role model.

Speaker 1: 30:37

And it might not. We don't have United Way with us right now, but if you want to get involved, reach out to United Way. They're facilitating the volunteering.

Speaker 7: 30:47

Yep and the volunteer drivers that drive some of the rural routes that it's just too hard for the letter carriers to handle picking up the food and driving the route. I did it one year. It's really, really meaningful.

Speaker 6: 30:59

And sometimes if you're bored and you have a pickup truck, we go out and meet these drivers at various places and help them bring a load in.

Speaker 1: 31:07

That's amazing. Yes, arkavia.

Speaker 2: 31:11

Yes, I just want to thank the community in advance for showing up and showing out, like you do every year. And like last year, I want to issue a challenge to Henderson County.

Speaker 1: 31:25

We want to beat.

Speaker 2: 31:27

Buncombe County. We want to beat the numbers that ashville brings in, so please we can do it and we will come back to you guys in a few weeks and let you know what the numbers are that's some fun, healthy competition.

Speaker 1: 31:39

Yes, you guys, and you know, with the buncombe county metal mail mail carriers right yes, yes, competition, that's amazing and I and arcadia, thank you so much for being here.

Speaker 1: 31:50

All, all four of you, thank you so much for being here. All four of you, thank you so much for being here to share, and we have just maybe a minute in wrapping up Anything that we didn't cover. I want to make sure Again it's this Saturday, may 11th. You do not need a bag. You can put a bag out there, but you do not need a special bag to leave food. You can leave cans in the mailbox. You can leave cans in the mailbox. You can hang a bag Again. You can leave a bag at the post On the ground. Non-perishable current items.

Speaker 2: 32:21

This could be a Mother's Day gift to give back to the community.

Speaker 1: 32:24

I love that. And again, happy Mother's Day. And again, iam, salvation Army and Storehouse of Henderson County all three specifically then distribute the food here locally. So again, when you give, let's be honest, it can feel overwhelming the need right. But again, every little bit goes so far and the difference one person can make, I mean that's again you never know. And again, and Arkavia, thank you for being so kind to share your story. You know, again, it's, it's amazing, you know, being on both sides of it.

Speaker 2: 32:57

Exactly.

Speaker 1: 32:58

Again, you never know. So thank you all four of you for being here. And again I want to encourage our listeners.

Speaker 1: 33:03

This Saturday, may 11th, the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. It's the largest single-day food drive in the United States and again, when you give, it stays here locally and to our listeners, just grateful to be here with you. Again, if we can help you in any way, grateful to be here sharing with you about the local community that we live in. It's an incredibly generous community we live in. And again, we do tend to see and focus on the prosperity and all the amazing things that our community has to offer, but it's important to talk about the needs in the community too. And again, food insecurity is a real thing. I think we were saying one in 11 in Henderson County have food insecurity. I mean, it's a staggering number. And again, you might not realize that. And again, it's to be able to participate and to give back in the community.

Speaker 1: 33:49

So thank you so much for being here this Thursday morning. Time's flying when you're having fun. I'm having trouble with the music, but that's okay. Grateful to be here with you. We'll wrap up the show, but if we can help you in any way, give us a call at 828-393-0134, 828-393-0134. Have a great day, have a great week and we'll see you next Thursday.

Speaker 4: 34:13

Hey guys, it's Lucy Miller George, your favorite 9-year-old and I'm here to talk about the George Real Estate Group. Are you ready to sell your home and move on to bigger and better things? Well, let me tell you my family knows a thing or two about selling houses. We have the experience of helping over 1,300 families and, let's be real, selling your home is a big deal, but with our expert guidance and our terrible dad jokes and Lucy jokes we will make the process as easy and painless as possible. Want to hear a joke? Why did the real estate agent cross the road To get to the other listing? Okay, maybe our jokes aren't the best, but our selling skills are definitely are. Give us a call today 828-393-0134.

Speaker 3: 35:16

today 828-393-0134. Have a nice day. Thank you for listening to the George Real Estate Group podcast. Tune in next time for more industry news updates and real estate tips. You can reach Greg, the George Real Estate Group, at 828-393-0134 or at realestatebygregcom.