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Spring Cleaning & Donating In The Time Of COVID-19

Megan Cain
The Salvation Army store on Leicester Highway is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Tuesday through Saturday since it is deemed an essential business.

The COVID-19 pandemic arrived at the same time as an annual ritual - spring cleaning. That provides an opportunity for donations at a time when many community organizations desperately need them.  

All over Asheville, there’s a need for donated items. 

“There’s more need than there has ever been,” Erin Wilson said.

Erin Wilson is the director of development and communications for the Salvation Army of the Carolinas. She says they’ve seen a 50% uptick in requests for food, clothing and support. 

“We’ve never seen food insecurity of this magnitude. In the same way, we’ve never seen layoffs of this magnitude,” Wilson said.

To meet the magnitude of the demand, the Salvation Army opened an emergency canteen that serves nearly 300 hot meals each day from four to six. 

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, or ABCCM, is experiencing similar demand.  Scott Rogers is the executive director. He says they’ve gone from helping 85 people a day to 160. 

“Bring us the staples. Flour, sugar, beans are really good. If you can find rice, that’s helpful. We certainly need that,” Rogers said. 

Every little bit helps. But before boxing up anything that you wish to donate, both organizations ask that you give it a good wipe down with a soapy rag or disinfectant.

And when it comes to clothes, Bill Haymore, the Vice President of Operations at Goodwill of Northwest North Carolina, asks that you send them for one last spin in your washing machine. 

“If you would want to clean that product before you give it to a family member or friend, please do the same thing. We would like to be considered your friend, and it would be great if you could do that,” Haymore said. 

While Goodwill’s storefront isn’t open, you can still drop your items off daily from 11 to 6. They’re still making house calls to pick up bigger items.

ABCCM will also take drop-offs of your larger items.

“We are looking for three things – something to eat on, sit on and sleep on,” Rogers said. 

ABCCM is accepting donations Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The Salvation Army will take drop-offs on Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.