Buncombe County Health & Human Services

11/26/2025

This holiday, consider giving back to the community by fulfilling wishes from some of our treasured foster youth and adults.

Every year, Buncombe County Health and Human Services gathers wish lists, collects gifts, and delivers them to bring holiday cheer.

Help ensure that all of our foster youth and adults receive their holiday wishes. There are two ways to give:

🧸 Holiday Wishes for Youth (items ship directly to our office): https://amzn.to/48zskTl

🧦 Adult Wish Tree (all spots are taken but heated blankets are still needed): https://bit.ly/48vsATn

11/26/2025

🚨 Chickenpox Cases Are Rising in Buncombe County

The Public Health team is seeing an increase in chickenpox among children from infants to teens. Chickenpox spreads easily, especially in areas with low vaccination rates.

Quick facts:
• Symptoms include an itchy rash that becomes fluid-filled blisters.
• People are contagious 1–2 days before the rash and until all blisters scab over.
• Complications include infections, pneumonia, and even death.
• The chickenpox vaccine is the best protection.

Scroll through the graphics to learn about prevention and what to do if you think you have chickenpox.

For vaccine appointments, contact the Buncombe County Immunization Clinic: 828-250-5096.

11/25/2025

🍂 Fall is here — and so is flu season.
Protect yourself and your family as viruses increase in colder months.

Remember to wash your hands, cover coughs, and stay home when sick.

The flu can be dangerous, especially for young children, older adults, and those with chronic conditions.

💉 The best way to prevent serious flu illness is to get your yearly flu shot.
The vaccine is updated every year and recommended for everyone 6 months and older.

Where to get vaccinated:
• Your primary care provider
• Local pharmacies
• Buncombe County Immunization Clinic: Walk-in: Mon/Wed/Fri 8–11:30 a.m.; Tue/Thu 1–4:30 p.m. (closed 11/27-28). Appointments: 828-250-5096

Flu is not the only respiratory illness to look out for. Measles and RSV cases are also rising. Stay updated on COVID and RSV vaccines.

Let’s stay healthy this season. 🍁

11/24/2025

The Monday before Thanksgiving is Public Health Thank You Day, a time to recognize the hard work public health workers do year-round to keep our communities safe and prosperous.

From restaurant and school inspections to newborn health, to providing essential vaccines, our Buncombe County Public Health team works to protect us from disease, injury, and other health threats.

11/15/2025

Asheville Homeless Coalition has called a Code Purple for Nov. 16-17, 2025.

If you or someone you know is in need of shelter during cold weather, call (828)-785-4855.

Winter Shelter & Code Purple Sites:

Safe Shelter (91 New Leicester Hwy)
Type: Winter Shelter (nightly)
Capacity: 40
Population: Men
Transit Route: WE1 West

Safe Shelter (27 Balm Grove)
Type: Winter Shelter (nightly)
Capacity: 10
Population: Women
Transit Route: W2, W1, W6

ABCCM Transformation Village (30 Olin Haven Way)
Type: Code Purple
Capacity: 35
Population: Women, women with children
Transit Route: W2

Salvation Army (204 Haywood St)
Type: Code Purple
Capacity: 16
Population: Men
Transit Route: W5, WE1 West, WE2 West

Homeward Bound/AHOPE (19 N. Ann St)
Type: Code Purple
Population: Couples/people with pets
Transit Routes: W6, WE1 West, WE2 West

Transportation Support:
When Code Purple is called, bus transit through ART is free to all sites at night and to downtown the following morning. People seeking shelter should contact a provider for assistance with accessing transportation to a Winter Shelter when Code Purple has not been called.

Stay Informed:
- Code Purple will be called by Operations Coordinators 48 hours in advance of the date when Code Purple is in effect.
- Call 828.398.6011 at any time to hear a recorded message confirming whether or not Code Purple has been called.

Learn more at https://www.buncombenc.gov/320/Homelessness-Resources and stay tuned for Code Purple updates throughout the season.

11/13/2025

Important Update Regarding SNAP:

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) expects to process full November SNAP payments by the morning of Friday, November 14.

For some people, depending on the time of month they usually receive SNAP benefits, they will be getting November benefits early. SNAP participants will receive their December benefits on their usual schedule.

SNAP recipients can check their funds using the ebtEDGE app or the number on the back of the card.

Buncombe County residents with questions can call Economic Services at 828-250-5500 and the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100.

Español:

Actualización Importante Sobre SNAP:

El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte (NCDHHS) espera procesar los pagos completos de SNAP de noviembre para la mañana del viernes 14 de noviembre.

Para algunas personas, dependiendo de la fecha del mes en que normalmente reciben los beneficios de SNAP, recibirán los beneficios de noviembre antes de lo habitual. Los participantes de SNAP recibirán sus beneficios de diciembre según su calendario habitual.

Los beneficiarios de SNAP pueden consultar sus fondos usando la aplicación ebtEDGE o llamando al número que aparece en el reverso de su tarjeta.

Los residentes del condado de Buncombe que tengan preguntas pueden llamar a Servicios Económicos al 828-250-5500 o al Centro de Llamadas de One Buncombe al 828-250-6100.

NCDHHS expects to process full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments by Friday morning. Approximately 600,000 households should see the full benefit amount loaded on their EBT cards by Friday. The development comes following the U.S. House and U.S. Senate resolution to end the federal government shutdown announced late Wednesday evening, and subsequent guidance from the USDA on Thursday to states to issue full benefits.

Learn more: ncdhhs.gov/press-releases

11/12/2025

11/07/2025

Important updates regarding SNAP benefits | Actualizaciones importantes sobre los beneficios del SNAP.
NC Department of Health and Human Services

11/04/2025

This Veterans Day, our community unites to celebrate and thank those who have bravely served our nation. Buncombe County will recognize Veterans through special events and by sharing resources leading up to Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

If you are downtown in the next week, you may see our Courthouse and Health and Human Services buildings lit up green. This is part of Operation Green Light, a nationwide initiative that aims to let those who served know they are seen, appreciated, and supported.

Here is other ways we are honoring Veterans:
🎥 Documentary Premiere: “We Lift Each Other” – Nov. 10, 7 p.m., Diana Wortham Theater.
🎖 Veterans Day Ceremony – Nov. 11, 11 a.m., Charles George VA Medical Center.

Buncombe County Veterans Services provides essential support and benefits for Veterans and their families, including health care, education, home loans, and more. Visit 40 Coxe Avenue or call 828-250-5726.

Learn more and access local resources: https://bit.ly/4oKuEMs

10/31/2025

Buncombe County is partnering with MANNA FoodBank to host a food drive.

Starting on Friday, Oct. 31, donations will be accepted at any County library. These donations will support MANNA’s operation which on average serves more than 137,000 people per month in Western North Carolina.

Foods needed include shelf-stable foods like canned fruits and vegetables, proteins like chicken and tuna (pouches preferred), and dried beans and rice. A full list of needed items for food drives can be found here: https://bit.ly/4hwjqJ6

Español:

El Condado de Buncombe se asocia con MANNA FoodBank para organizar una colecta de alimentos.

A partir del viernes, 31 de octubre, se aceptarán donaciones en cualquiera de las bibliotecas del Condado. Estas donaciones apoyarán las operaciones de MANNA, que en promedio brinda servicios a más de 137,000 personas cada mes en el oeste de Carolina del Norte.

Los alimentos más necesitados incluyen productos no perecederos, como frutas y vegetales enlatados, proteínas como pollo y atún (se prefieren los empaques en bolsita), así como frijoles secos y arroz.

Puede encontrar la lista completa de artículos necesarios para las colectas de alimentos aquí: https://bit.ly/4hwjqJ6

10/30/2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has directed North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to pause all November SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits due to the federal shutdown. This means the benefits recipients use to purchase food may be delayed if the federal government shutdown continues.

While the situation at the federal level remains uncertain, we are taking proactive steps to ensure continuity of essential services and to the extent possible, minimize impacts on our residents.

What can SNAP recipients do:
• Continue to complete recertifications and report changes.
• Check balances using the ebtEDGE app or the number on the back of the card. Link: https://bit.ly/3ZfmaC2
• Any funds currently on EBT cards will still be available past Nov. 1.
• For more information, review frequently asked questions on the state’s SNAP webpage. Link: https://bit.ly/47foKNI
• Call 2-1-1 or visit nc211.org for local food pantries and emergency food resources.
• For questions, residents can call Economic Services at 828-250-5500 and the One Buncombe Call Center at 828-250-6100.

Community Food Resources:
The Food Resources page on our website will be continually updated with information and resources. Link: https://bit.ly/4hwjqJ6

Countywide Food Drive:
Buncombe County is partnering with MANNA FoodBank to host a food drive. Starting on Friday, Oct. 31, donations will be accepted at any County library.
These donations will support MANNA’s operation which on average serves more than 137,000 people per month in Western North Carolina.
Foods needed include shelf-stable foods like canned fruits and vegetables, proteins like chicken and tuna (pouches preferred), and dried beans and rice. A full list of needed items for food drives can be found on our website.

Visit https://bit.ly/3X3kMBL for more information and updates.

Español:
El Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos ha dirigido al Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte que pause todos los beneficios de SNAP (Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria) de noviembre debido al cierre del gobierno federal.
Esto significa que los beneficios que los beneficiarios usan para comprar alimentos pueden retrasarse si el cierre del gobierno federal continúa.

Mientras la situación a nivel federal sigue siendo incierta, estamos tomando pasos proactivos para asegurar la continuidad de los servicios esenciales y, en la medida de lo posible, minimizar los impactos en nuestros residentes.

Qué pueden hacer los beneficiarios de SNAP:
• Continúe completando las recertificaciones y reportando cambios.
• Revise los saldos usando la aplicación ebtEDGE o el número en la parte posterior de la tarjeta. Enlace: https://bit.ly/3ZfmaC2

• Cualquier fondo que esté actualmente en las tarjetas EBT seguirá disponible después del 1 de noviembre.
• Para más información, revise las preguntas frecuentes en la página web estatal de SNAP. Enlace: https://bit.ly/47foKNI

• Llame al 2-1-1 o visite nc211.org para despensas de alimentos locales y recursos de alimentos de emergencia.
• Para preguntas, los residentes pueden llamar a Servicios Económicos al 828-250-5500 y al Centro de Llamadas One Buncombe al 828-250-6100.

Recursos comunitarios de alimentos:
La página de Recursos de Alimentos en nuestro sitio web será actualizada continuamente con información y recursos.
Enlace: https://bit.ly/4hwjqJ6

Colecta de alimentos en todo el condado:
El Condado de Buncombe está asociándose con MANNA FoodBank para organizar una colecta de alimentos.
A partir del viernes, 31 de octubre, se aceptarán donaciones en cualquier biblioteca del condado.
Estas donaciones apoyarán la operación de MANNA, que en promedio sirve a más de 137,000 personas por mes en el oeste de Carolina del Norte.
Los alimentos necesarios incluyen alimentos no perecederos como frutas y verduras enlatadas, proteínas como pollo y atún (se prefieren las bolsitas), y frijoles y arroz secos.
Una lista completa de los artículos necesarios para las colectas de alimentos se puede encontrar en nuestro sitio web.

Visite https://bit.ly/3X3kMBL para más información y actualizaciones.

10/30/2025