BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A small nonprofit in the Swannanoa Valley is working to meet rising food insecurity while creating what its leaders describe as a welcoming, community-centered space for neighbors in need.

Co-directors Aaron Gilmour and Allison Hargus say their organization, Appalachian Community Relief, focuses on immediate food access and long-term stability for families struggling to make ends meet.

“Our biggest focus is on food security and creating a community space that supports the immediate food needs of people as well as giving them tools and resources to foster more stability in their lives,” the co-directors said.

The need has grown more urgent in recent years. Rising grocery prices, federal funding cuts and disruptions to food assistance programs have made it harder for many households to afford basic necessities. In the Swannanoa Valley, the problem has been compounded by storm damage that destroyed the area’s closest grocery store, leaving many residents with limited access to food.

The nonprofit now serves between 2,500 and 3,000 people each month and reached about 30,000 individuals in its first year operating a new brick-and-mortar store, which opened Feb. 20, 2025. Staff and volunteers distribute roughly 11,000 pounds of food and household goods monthly.

Leaders say the organization aims to go beyond the traditional food pantry model. The store includes a children’s play area and a free little library, and the group is working to expand partnerships and on-site resources.

“We don’t want to just be a food pantry where people pick up a box of goods,” they said. “We want to be a safe haven for folks in the community.”

That approach has had a personal impact on some visitors. In a recent anonymous note, a shopper described overcoming social anxiety to visit the store after losing a job because of an injury.

“I have a hard time being in public spaces, but have seriously needed help,” the note read. “The space you have created … made my social anxiety fall away.”

The organization tracks its reach through appointment data, family size and ZIP codes, and is conducting surveys to better understand community needs and identify gaps in service.

Despite strong volunteer support, challenges remain. Demand has increased since cuts and delays in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program last fall, and leaders say funding shortfalls have forced them to purchase more food that was previously covered by grants.

Federal reductions have also had downstream effects. Cuts to U.S. Department of Agriculture programs in North Carolina have meant fewer resources for local food banks and pantries, increasing pressure on smaller organizations.

Most of the nonprofit’s funding comes from individual donations, which dipped earlier this year before beginning to recover. When funding tightens, the group reduces food orders and limits per-person distributions to stretch available supplies.

Leaders say there is also growing demand for grocery delivery among residents without reliable transportation, and they are working to launch a delivery program later this year.

About 90 percent of the organization’s budget goes directly to food pantry operations, according to its leadership. Financial oversight includes monthly reporting, board approval requirements for certain expenses and support from a pro bono accounting firm.

Looking ahead, Appalachian Community Relief plans to expand programming, strengthen supply chains and deepen community partnerships as it enters its second year in its current location.

Leaders say one message they hope resonates is that food insecurity is more widespread than many people realize.

“As a community, we can work together to make sure our neighbors have full plates,” they said.