ASHEVILLE, N.C (828newsNOW) — As wintry weather settled over Asheville this week — dusting ridgelines, slicking sidewalks and ushering in the first truly cold mornings of the season — the small beige BeLoved Asheville boxes across Buncombe County have taken on renewed urgency.

While many residents woke to a mix of sleet, snow and rain recently, BeLoved Asheville volunteers were already making their rounds, stuffing the nonprofit’s Street Pantries with blankets, hand warmers, ponchos, canned food and other cold-weather essentials.

“Filling the BeLoved Street Pantries is a gift for the soul,” BeLoved Asheville wrote in a recent update. “These little hubs of unconditional love are open 24/7, waiting to provide for those who need it most.”

The Street Pantries, many fashioned from old newspaper boxes that once delivered headlines, now offer something different: socks instead of stories, warmth instead of warnings. Community members fill them in what organizers call “radical love,” a no-barrier support system for people experiencing poverty, homelessness or long commutes on icy mornings.

The effort began in spring 2020, shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, with only two boxes. Today, more than a dozen stand across Asheville, Black Mountain, Candler, Weaverville and the Airport Road corridor, each stocked by preschoolers, office workers, faith groups, neighbors and families.

With temperatures dipping and more wintry shots expected, BeLoved’s call for seasonal supplies has sharpened. Volunteers say the most-needed items this time of year include gloves, hats, emergency blankets, hot hands, tarps, ponchos, first aid kits, instant meals, baby wipes, chapstick and bottled water. Gently used backpacks and blankets are also in demand.

The pantries sit near sidewalks, bus stops, grass medians and parking lots — intentionally placed where people gather, camp or travel on foot. Each is designed for 24/7 access, especially valuable during cold snaps when shelters fill quickly and icy roads limit mobility.

“You may have noticed them on a street corner near you,” BeLoved said. “Every filled pantry echoes the collective decision to walk the path of mutual support daily.”

Pantry locations

• Haywood Road, West Asheville: Corner of Haywood Road and Blue Ridge Avenue next to the telephone pole. Street parking is available on Blue Ridge or Haywood.
• Downtown Walnut Street: Directly across from East Fork Pottery store on Walnut between Lexington and Biltmore avenues, next to a metal sculpture. There is street parking on Lexington or a parking lot just behind the pantry.
• Black Mountain: NC 9, close to the railroad tracks just up from the bus stop and the SunTrust Bank across the street from the old BI-LO grocery.
• Candler: Smokey Park Highway by the sidewalk in the grass between the Shell and BP gas stations (across the street from Burger King) and just up from the Interstate 40 interchange at exit 44.
• Lexington Street Bridge: On the sidewalk on the left side of the Lexington Street Bridge, while facing the bridge next to the phone pole. The pantry is next to the paid parking lot and the guardrail. You can pull directly up in that parking lot to fill the pantry.
• Oteen Pantry: In front of Azalea Church, just past Zaxby’s on Tunnel Road before exit 55. The pantry is where the sidewalk ends. Look for the yellow chain. There is space to pull a vehicle in front of the pantry and beside it to easily fill it.
• Airport Road Pantry 1: On the corner of Airport Road and the turn to Target next to the bus stop. Pantry filling: Pull in to the Home2 Suites, and there is a building for lease next to Airport Road where you can park and walk to the pantry.
• Airport Road Pantry 2: Across from Sonic, next to HomeTrust Bank, beside the crossing signal. Park at Airport Center Office Plaza to fill.
• Southside/River Arts District: Clingman Avenue, on the traffic circle by Pinegate Renewables (park there to fill).
• Weaverville: On the corner, in front of the Hardee’s on Weaver Boulevard in Weaverville. Park in the shopping plaza to fill.
• Charlotte Street (adopted by the UUCA): 81 Charlotte St., the pantry is next to the sidewalk near the yellow poles of this parking lot. You can pull up in the parking lot for easy filling.

BeLoved invites residents to stock a pantry whenever they can or sign up for a regular filling schedule. Many people participate by collecting extra supplies at home or organizing quick “pantry drives” with neighbors or co-workers.

As the winter weather pattern continues, those little boxes are expected to see heavier use.

For BeLoved Asheville, that’s exactly why they’re there.