VALLE CRUCIS, NC – Mast General Store is making one more gift from the Mountain Strong Fund in 2025. MANNA FoodBank, a food security organization serving 16 counties in the western-most area of North Carolina, is receiving an additional donation of $10,000 to continue its work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina. This donation brings the total amount donated from Mountain Strong Funds to $227,500.
According to information from the Food Research & Action Center garnered from research performed by USDA, about one in seven households (13.5 percent) in the United States struggled with hunger in 2023. The southern region of the country experienced even higher levels of hunger with almost 15 percent of households experiencing food insecurity.
Information shared by MANNA FoodBank in one of its latest newsletters further emphasizes the lack of food security in its region. Before Hurricane Helene, MANNA had an average of 158,000 visits to its pantry. Now, the organization is averaging almost 170,000 monthly visits, and that comes after its highest ever level of use – 190,000 pantry visits in June 2025.
“MANNA FoodBank is deeply grateful to Mast General Store and the Mountain Strong Fund for this generous gift during an especially challenging year for Western North Carolina,” said Olivia Onderlinde, MANNA FoodBank’s corporate engagement manager. "As our community continues to recover from Hurricane Helene while also facing the impacts of a government shutdown and SNAP crisis, this support comes at a critical time as MANNA is serving more neighbors than ever before.”
As the flood waters rose on September 27, 2024, MANNA's headquarters and warehouse, which were located on the Swannanoa River, were inundated and destroyed.
“I have always been impressed with the work MANNA does in our community,” said Lisa Cooper, president of Mast General Store, “but in the wake of Hurricane Helene, I marvel at the sheer will of its staff and volunteers to pull together food and supply distribution locations on the fly.”
In addition to Mountain Strong Funds, Mast Store just completed a month-long roundUP to support its food security partners in all its home communities. “As an organization, we support our food security partners throughout the year, but we ask our guests to lean in with us at this time of year,” shared Cooper. This campaign resulted in more than $46,000 in donations to these organizations, including more than $17,000 to MANNA.
“Mast General Store’s commitment helps ensure families across the region have access to nourishing food and reflects the strength of community when it matters most,” continued Onderlinde.
“We have been blown away by the support of our guests,” said Cooper. “Our Mountain Strong merchandise is continuing to make an impact on the recovery of our region, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”
The donation total for the Mountain Strong Fund is $227,500, including the most recent contributions. Recipients include: Appalachian Theatre of the High Country ($15,000), Barefoot Baby Foundation ($2,500), Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity ($10,000), United Methodist Committee on Relief office for Ashe and Watauga Counties ($10,000 for returning residents to their homes that are safe and secure), MANNA FoodBank ($10,000 – to continue their mission to end hunger in 16 mountain counties), RiverLink ($10,000 – for riverbank stabilization and repairs to parks), Valle Crucis School Parent Teacher Student Organization ($10,000 - to help teachers reassemble their teaching aids), Boone Area Chamber Foundation ($20,000 - helping small businesses in Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties recover), Downtown Spruce Pine ($20,000 - a Main Street organization helping small businesses get back on their feet), MountainTrue ($25,000 – an organization that advocates for clean waters, resilient forests, and health communities), BeLoved Asheville ($20,000 – a community working to create Home, Health, Equity, and Opportunity for all in our mountain home), Asheville Chamber for Small Businesses ($20,000 – this group is helping small businesses who may not qualify for other funds get back on their feet), River Arts District Foundation ($20,000 – helping restore the creative heart of Asheville), and Boone Area Chamber Small Business Grants ($25,000 – helping businesses in Watauga County recover from loss of business and infrastructure).
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