As Western North Carolina continues to recover from the massive devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene, Highlands Festivals, Inc., is reinforcing its commitment to the Highlands Plateau community and beyond by extending its charitable contributions to local and regional non-profit organizations in support of relief efforts.
For every ticket to the Highlands Food and Wine festival’s Sunday, Nov. 10 “Shot at Redemption” event purchased from Oct. 11 through the festival (Nov. 7-10), Highlands Festivals, Inc. will donate $125 to designated relief fund that will benefit the following organizations:
• BeLoved Asheville
• Equal Plates Project
• Highlands Emergency Council
• Highlands Food Pantry
• Southern Smoke Foundation
In addition, supporters who cannot attend the event but would like to give to the relief fund will be able to do so starting Oct. 11 via www.highlandsfoodandwine.com; 100 percent of these donations will go directly to the fund.
“Highlands Food and Wine has always been about giving back to the community and bringing people together, and this year – with so much help needed – our message will focus on gratitude and supporting our friends and neighbors,” said David Bock, Board Member, Highlands Festivals, Inc. “It has been heartbreaking to see what our fans, patrons, chefs, musicians, and beverage partners throughout Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina have endured in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Our hope is by providing this opportunity to help fund recovery efforts and resources we can bring meaningful support to the communities in need.”
BeLoved Asheville is focusing on critical necessities like food, water and healthcare for survival and stability to those most affected by Hurricane Helene. Equal Plates Project is preparing over 1,000 daily meals to distribute to residents affected by the hurricane. Highlands Emergency Council is a community donation center that provides residents in Highlands and the surrounding areas with clothing, food, firewood and household goods in times of need.
Highlands Food Pantry provides food assistance to residents of Highlands and the surrounding communities. Southern Smoke Foundation provides crisis relief funding to members of the food and beverage industry, which can be used to cover lost wages and for essentials like groceries, clothing, medications, and rent.
Abraham Alexander and headliner Lee Fields & The Expressions will provide soulful, electric rhythm performances for Sunday’s A Shot at Redemption event. Special guests will be announced in the weeks to come.
The 8th annual Highlands Food & Wine festival will also feature headliners Greensky Bluegrass, Love Canon and Wilder Woods, and performances by Alex Lambert, Larry Keel and Jon Stickley.
Tickets for the “Shot at Redemption” disaster relief event and other festival events can be purchased at https://highlandsfoodandwine.com/.
Highlands Food and Wine Festival is proudly presented by Highlands Festivals, Inc. and presenting festival sponsor, Visit Highlands. A portion of proceeds from overall festival ticket sales will be donated to the Bascom, Highlands Arts Center and Friends of Founders Park, as well as to the Louis Osteen Legacy Scholarship.
The Highlands Emergency Council has been serving families in the Highlands area since 1982.
They started off in the Highlands Library, but in 1982, volunteers built the building on Poplar Street that still exists today. The center has been run by volunteers since then. Highlands Emergency Council is proud to be able to support and help its neighbors in Highlands and the surrounding areas. The Highlands Emergency council aims to provide essentials for all of those in need in the community in times of adversity. More information can be found at highlandsemergencycouncil.com.
Highlands Festivals, Inc. hosts Highlands Food and Wine, traditionally an annual, four-day event staged at multiple venues throughout Highlands. The Festival is dedicated to the celebration of food, wine, music and culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 2024 festival is scheduled for Nov. 7-10. Ticket, lineup and event information can be found at www.highlandsfoodandwine.com.