Asheville Poverty Initiative

Asheville Poverty Initiative
(12 Baskets Cafe)

All are welcome to 12 Baskets Café! Located at 610 Haywood Rd in West Asheville, our café is open to everyone. All are encouraged to come and have conversations with their neighbors. At 12 Baskets Café, we embrace all walks of life—those facing hunger, seeking belonging, or eager to help. We are community-powered, using 100% rescued food in a space where everyone contributes as they can. 

We are open for sit-down meals and groceries every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 AM to 1 PM. You can come for a free, delicious, hot lunch four days a week and leave with whatever groceries you need. We have grown to serve 600+ community members through meals and grocery boxes every week. While the food is donated, it costs Asheville Poverty Initiative a little over $10 per plate to cover costs like rent and utilities.