Celebrating Our Hub & Farmers Market Truck!

A Belated Celebration of our New Hub & Farmers Market Truck

Last Friday, we held an Open House to celebrate the heart of Bounty & Soul—our Warehouse, Education & Volunteer Hub. While this event was originally planned as a joyous unveiling, it took on even deeper significance after Hurricane Helene delayed our celebration.

The hub, which was designed to serve as the core of our operations, became a command center during the storm’s aftermath, providing critical storage and distribution for supplies, fresh food, and resources to help our community recover. Alongside the hub’s opening, we are also excited to celebrate our Farmers Market Truck, which has become an integral part of our operations and mission.

Introduced at the end of last year, the Farmers Market Truck has become a vital resource for Bounty & Soul and the community. Equipped with refrigeration, it allows us to deliver fresh, locally grown produce to communities in need, supporting our mission of providing healthy food and strengthening the local food system.

The truck also supports our Farmers Alliance™ program, ensuring that much of the food we distribute comes from local and regional growers. Thanks to funding from The Glass Foundation and the Golden LEAF Foundation, and the support and generosity of our many community partners and donors, the truck has been crucial in meeting people where they are and making healthy food more accessible, especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Despite the challenges, we couldn’t have asked for a better way to mark this occasion. We connected with our partners, reflected on the journey so far, and looked ahead to the future of Bounty & Soul.

A Place for the Community

Our hub is the heart of our operations, where we receive local food deliveries and prepare for distribution to those who need it most. It’s here that we load up the Farmers Market Truck and produce trucks, ensuring fresh produce reaches markets that serve 30,000 individuals every month.

Beyond food distribution, the hub serves as a gathering space for no-cost well-being classes focused on mindfulness, cooking courses that teach healthy, nutritious habits, and fitness classes that empower individuals to lead active, healthy lives. It’s also where our volunteers dedicate their time and energy, making a significant impact and fueling the heartbeat of our community.

Honoring our Supporters

We are incredibly grateful to those who helped make this hub and our Farmers Market Truck program a reality. Our journey wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering generosity and belief in our mission from so many incredible partners. We extend a heartfelt thank you to the following:

A Grateful Thank You to our Vendors

Finally, a special thanks to Annie’s Culinary Garden for providing the vibrant and delicious spread of nourishing eats! We also want to thank TigerTown Graphics for the cozy sweatshirts given to our guests, and Bridge & Tunnel Coffee Company for the hot beverages that kept everyone warm and refreshed.

Moving Forward with Gratitude

When Hurricane Helene hit, our warehouse became a lifeline, keeping food refrigerated with trucks and camp lights during a 10-day power outage. It was in these challenging moments that we truly understood the importance of this space.

“We never knew how vital it would be, but now we do,” said Ali Casparian, Bounty & Soul’s Executive Director, reflecting on the storm’s impact.

As we move forward, we are more committed than ever to our mission. Thank you to everyone who has supported Bounty & Soul! We couldn’t have done it without you! Together, we’ll continue to ensure that everyone has the right to be nourished and thrive.