Social Responsibility

Community Service Projects for Meeting Planners

A community service project creates a unique team building opportunity for your meeting attendees in Asheville. Service projects can be fun and energizing for attendees -and make a beneficial impact on the environment or residents of your host city. From river clean-ups to custom projects designed for your group at your host hotel, the Asheville CVB can connect you to the local organizations that will help you incorporate a service project in your meeting's agenda. If you're a meeting planner looking for a host hotel for your next meeting, contact the Asheville CVB for time-saving services.

Community Service Organizations

Group service projects can be coordinated by these local Asheville organizations:

• Asheville Greenworks, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, is a volunteer-based organization working to achieve a Clean and Green Asheville and Buncombe County through community organizing, educating and environmental stewardship. 828.254.1776
• Hands on Asheville-Buncombe, the volunteer center of United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, recruits and manages volunteers for a variety of projects in the community. Looking to engage your group in a team-building, networking or simply, a fun event? Contact Hands On to develop a project for your group’s goals, interests and logistical needs that also benefit the community. To get started see project options below and click here to fill in a Project Request Form or email Michelle Bennett, Volunteer Engagement Director for more information.

1. We Care! Experiences: Impactful service experiences that align with United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County's strategy to reduce the impact of poverty on people’s lives. Experience integrates your team-building/engagement goals, education and volunteerism. We handle all aspects of project planning/management and supply procurement. This opportunity is mobile and we bring it to your group! [THIS PROJECT OCCURS ON-SITE, BUDGET]
2. Customized projects: We can develop and manage a project based on your specific interests; integrate leadership, team-building and networking- whether it’s for a group of 10 or 200. [THIS PROJECT OCCURS OFFSITE, BUDGET]
3. Projects that don’t require a high level of support are also available at no cost to your organization.

•  MANNA Food Bank is a registered 501©(3) nonprofit organization that collects, stores, warehouses and distributes food to MANNA accredited non profits throughout 16 counties in Western North Carolina. 828-299-3663
• RiverLink is a regional non-profit spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River. Make a difference by participating in a river cleanup with RiverLink and Adopt-a-Stream teams. 828-252-8474 ext. 118, or volunteer@riverlink.org
• Eblen Charities is a registered 501©(3) nonprofit organization that reaches out to children, adults, and families in western North Carolina who are in times of need. Through numerous innovative programs and partnerships, tens of thousands of families are assisted each year with heating, utilities, medication, housing, food, clothing, medial and other emergency assistance. Eblen Charities can help coordinate on-site donations at your conference host hotel. Examples of donation collections include food (easy to prepare food items), new or gently used coats, clothing, shoes, hygiene products, new books, toys, stuffed animals for the Saint Nicholas Project. 828-255-3066

Go Local Card

Connect your attendees to discounts at hundreds of local businesses

Purchase the Love Asheville - Go Local Card  for your meeting attendees and make a donation to Asheville area non-profits. The cards are available at reduced rate for meeting planners who purchase 50 or more cards. At $8 per card, planners can include the cost in the meeting registration fee or purchase these for the attendees.

The purchase of the card supports the Asheville City Schools Foundation and the Asheville Grown Business Alliance. In 2013, the Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials purchased 800 cards for their meeting attendees. Their $4000 donation helped to fund an Asheville elementary school mural project. Click here for more information about the Go Local Card for meetings.

No time on the agenda for a project? Donate.

Donating to local charities is also a wonderful way to benefit your host community. Give attendees the chance to donate a few dollars at registration, or donate unused and leftover items from your meeting. Here are some organizations that can facilitate donating:

• Western Carolina Rescue Ministries accepts food donations. Call 828-254-0471 to donate leftover food. Mon-Fri only.
• The Hope Chest for Women, a WNC nonprofit, makes the most of in-kind donations of local gas and pharmacy gift cards, gift certificates and monetary contributions. These items help offset the expense of transportation, prescription and supplemental medications, and other necessities for women diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancer. Call 828.418.1344 for more information.

Get Creative

Encourage meeting attendees to bring items that will be donated to a local charity. Create centerpieces with items and save on your decor budget. Art supplies for local schools, pet food & supplies, gloves and hats for needy children, canned food items for local food bank or homeless shelters will make interesting table decorations.