To show support for those Federal employees that are out of work or working without pay during the government shutdown, many local businesses are reaching out with free meals or services. We’ve rounded them all up in one spot, below. This is an ever changing list, which is likely to grow the longer the shutdown occurs. If you know of other deals being offered to add, please let us know!

GROCERIES

BABIES NEED BOTTOMS … We have diapers and wipes available to federal employees affected by the government shutdown. More information at the LINK HERE

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BOUNTY & SOUL (Black Mountain area) … YEAR ROUND WEEKLY MOBILE MARKETS! During the government shutdown, please keep your eyes open for friends and neighbors who may be temporarily struggling with access to food and support. Bounty & Soul of Black Mountain is available for anyone in the community who is in need of healthy food and a welcoming community. The Produce to the People program delivers healthy food and wellness resources into local communities with five weekly markets, and anyone and everyone who believes they would benefit from the healthy food is welcome to participate. There is NO COST for the food or the other resources. LEARN MORE HERE

MANNA FOODBANK … Tuesdays & Fridays, 3:00pm-6:00pm … FREE food/groceries to Federal employees in WNC. You MUST present a valid Federal ID in order to pick up food.

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YMCA OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA … Affected by the shutdown? Visit the YMCA of Western North Carolina mobile markets or Saturday youth meals “to receive FREE, healthy food, no questions asked. We’re also here to help with any membership or program needs.” LEARN MORE HERE

FREE SATURDAY YOUTH MEALS: Free and open to anyone under the age of 18. Every Saturday from 11:00am-1:00pm at the Ferguson Family YMCA.

MEALS

12 BASKETS CAFE: A PROGRAM OF ASHEVILLE POVERTY INITIATIVE … Weekdays, 11:00am-1:00pm … 12 Baskets is reaching out to government workers and their families, as it does to all families year round. Located on State Street at Haywood Road in West Asheville, 12 Baskets Cafe serves delicious FREE lunches every weekday, 11:00am-1:00pm. All are welcome and encouraged to come!

BEN & JERRY’S … This one’s on us! Show your federal employee I.d. at our shop to receive a free scoop of your favorite flavor! 

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FARM BURGER … Fridays, All Day … To show support for those out of work, every Farm Burger location is participating in #FurloughFridays, which includes a free chicken burger, fries and an iced tea to federal government employees who show their valid Federal ID. “At Farm Burger, we have a few core values. One is serving up great food and another is service beyond the counter. Our communities have blessed us, and now we stand united with our furloughed federal employees. We will be offering free meals to furloughed federal employees all day every Friday (while supplies last) until the government shutdown ends.”

LAKE LOGAN CONFERENCE CENTER (Canton) … Dinner January 25th through Lunch January 27th … To our friends without paychecks who work for the federal government, you and your families are invited for a free meal at Lake Logan this weekend. RSVP by Friday at Noon.”

YMCA OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA … (see above under GROCERIES)

RESPITE OPPORTUNITIES

ASHEVILLE SALT CAVE … Weekdays Only … FREE Community Salt Cave Session to all government workers at Asheville Salt Cave. “We can only imagine how stressful this time is so, come and relax with us for a little bit, on us!” Please call to schedule 828-236-5999. You must show Government ID at time of check in.

THE MUSEUM OF THE CHEROKEE INDIAN (Cherokee) … Mon-Sun, 9:00am-5:00pm … FREE admission to all employees of the federal government. Be prepared to show your federal ID.

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BILL ASSISTANCE

Many insurance carriers, credit card companies, Federal Credit Unions, and wireless services recognize the financial difficulty currently facing government employees due to the partial government shutdown. If you need assistance, many are providing flexible payment options for their customers. Please contact your local offices or call their customer service numbers to see how they can help with waiving of late fees, extensions, etc.

EXPIRED OFFERS THAT MAY BE OFFERED AGAIN AS THE SHUTDOWN CONTINUES

ASHEVILLE SYMPHONY & THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM … January 19th, 8:00pm … Asheville Symphony is offering two complimentary tickets to this Saturday’s Masterworks 4 concert featuring Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1 to any federal employee currently affected by the government shutdown. Federal employees affected by the shutdown are eligible for two complimentary tickets to Masterworks 4: Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1 on Saturday, January 19 at 8 p.m. at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in downtown Asheville. *Federal Employees must provide a valid federal employee ID and pick up their tickets in person at the Asheville Symphony Office at 27 College Place, Suite 100, Asheville, NC 28801, Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or at the U.S. Cellular Center Box Office at 87 Haywood Street, the night of the concert. Tickets are available while supplies last. Valid for tickets in Area 2 and Area 3.

KANUGA (Hendersonville) … Jan 18th-20th … “We believe in supporting and helping our community. If you are a furloughed federal employee, please know that you and your family are invited to join us as our guest at any of our retreat center meals this weekend, January 18-20. Please call ahead to reserve your spot, (828) 233-2102.”

UNC ASHEVILLE BULLDOG ATHLETICS … January 19th, 2:00pm- … We’re happy to provide FREE tickets to our Bulldog Basketball doubleheader this Saturday at Kimmel Arena for any Federal employees who have been affected by the government shutdown. Please present a Federal employee I.D. at our Ticket Box Office on Saturday.

2:00pm: Women’s vs High Point