BOONE, N.C. — Food banks are seeing a large influx of people needing food, and one nonprofit in Avery County is trying to help.

Feeding Avery Families helped more than 150 families with meals last week. 

What You Need To Know

  • More families need help during the holidays getting food

  • Nonprofits like Feeding Avery Families are seeing an influx of people

  • Last week they helped about 187 families

Vanessa Phillips started working at Feeding Avery Families this year.

"There is honestly no greater feeling than what I'm doing right now," Phillips said. She is the community outreach coordinator who has worked hard to bring the Hispanic community inside for food.

"Before I started, we had about 12 Hispanic families with us. While I have been here, I have been able to outreach and currently we have around 300," Phillips said.

The nonprofit helps hundreds of people a week get food boxes in Avery County. People from any county can come for help.

Giving back is something her family instilled in her at an early age.

"I grew up watching my parents always help others," Phillips said.

She walks people around the building and helps them choose their perfect meals for their boxes. She helps people like Anna Lane, who was filling a box with her grandson Hunter.

"With a family of five, I could not tell these people how much I appreciate them, especially around the holidays and him being out of school," Lane said.

She says times are tough.

"Money just don't go like it use to," Lane said.

With the holidays coming up, she knew she needed help. It's something Phillips says they have heard a lot. More people have been showing up needing help during the holidays.

"A lot of parents stressed out about how are they going to feed their child, the kid stresses about how am I going to eat during break," Phillips said.

The numbers are increasing fast. On a normal week, they feed between 80 to 100 families.

"I think last week we probably served close to 187 families in one day," Phillips said.

Phillips says you could help Feeding Avery Families by not only donating to help them purchase food but also by volunteering your time. She says they give out food boxes on Wednesdays and they pack boxes on Thursdays.