Asheville – As many of us are well aware there is an inordinately large number of homeless residing in Buncombe County, many of whom have students who attend schools in Buncombe County. According to Family Resource Center Director Shannon Boyd, “This school year, as of 2/16/24 we have identified 516 students who are experiencing homelessness.” Some of the students are identified as unaccompanied homeless youth, who are not living with a parent or guardian. The Buncombe County School Family Resource Center is making every effort to address the many issues and challenges of these homeless students. As stated by Boyd, “Our most vulnerable and homeless students and their families face insurmountable odds before they even arrive at school to study and learn. Students must have their most basic needs met before they can learn: food to eat, clean clothing to wear, and safe shelter. Families, who want the best for their children, want to overcome poverty and realize that education is the way to do so. Education is the pathway to a good job and the way to a brighter future.”
The BCS Family Resource Center serves vulnerable students and families within ALL Buncombe County Schools. All items are free to students and their families. Families are referred to the Resource Center by the school social worker. The Resource Center provides case management for families experiencing homelessness, hygiene items, clothing, shoes, household cleaning items, laundry kits, diapers and wipes, school supplies, and food. If you or someone you know is experiencing a homeless crisis, please call or text 828-775-1898. You can also contact 1-888-411-6802 (Homeless Crisis Hot Line).
Shannon Boyd answered a few specific questions:
Q – Are the items in the Center donations from the community?
A – All items are donated by in-kind or monetary donations. We partner with many local non-profit organizations as well as faith-based organizations and local businesses.
For example, Hearts with Hands hosted a Holiday Party this past December for families in the school community, serving 260 individuals—157 students and 103 adults. The free services and goods available included a Box of Hope, family food boxes, a frozen turkey, household items and cleaning supplies, child and adult clothing, and small toys. Families enjoyed crafts, face painting, bounce houses, partner booths, gifts for each child, and a hot meal for every individual.
Q – Is it more than clothing — or items like sleeping blankets, air mattresses, pillows, and the like?
A – We provide clothing as well as blankets, air mattresses, and sleeping bags for those in need.
Q – Do you distribute gas cards as well?
A – We distribute gas cards on an as-needed basis. We do not always have gas cards on hand but when they are donated to us then we can distribute them.
Q – What about food?
A – We are a Manna Food Bank partner, who provides food bags, produce, and frozen food items for us to distribute to students and families. Food can be picked up at the Resource Center or delivered to the home, hotel/motel, or wherever the students and families are residing.
The Center’s Background
When COVID-19 restrictions were implemented, and BCS was closed to in-person learning, the opportunity for students to receive free or reduced meals at school became extremely difficult and often impossible due to a lack of resources and/or transportation. As hybrid and then face-to-face school schedules evolved, food insecurity remained for a great number of BCS McKinney-Vento and vulnerable students and families. The Buncombe County Schools (BCS) Family Resource Center was created to serve students and families during this difficult time and now beyond COVID-19. BCS Family Resource Center serves all students and families in our 45 schools. The pandemic exposed a distressing growth in the need for access to food and basic needs on an ongoing basis. We do not anticipate that this need will disappear anytime soon.
BCS Family Resource Center’s mission is to support the most vulnerable students and families within Buncombe County, including those impacted by homelessness, immigrant status, uninsured, living below the poverty level, and those with no access to other public assistance (undocumented, etc.) The Resource Center is currently serving a diverse student population, including students with multinational backgrounds. Through donations from individuals, businesses, faith-based organizations, and many non-profit organizations, the Center has been able to continue to serve the needs of local students and families. The FRC continues to need supplies and monetary donations from the public. They would be greatly appreciated. To donate in-kind or monetary donations, just contact Shannon Boyd at 828 775-1898.