What are the opening hours?

Monday 11am - 1pm Tuesday 11am - 1pm Thursday 11am - 1pm Friday 11am - 1pm Saturday 10am - 12pm Sunday 10am - 12pm

12 Baskets Cafe: a program of Asheville Poverty Initiative

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12 Baskets Cafe: a program of Asheville Poverty Initiative

Building Community and Educating about the Realities of Poverty Asheville Poverty Initiative's mission is to build community and promote economic justice.

Dismantling stereotypes, reducing fear, and empowering hope through telling stories across socio-economic difference. We envision a beloved community that celebrates mutuality, abundance, and justice.

12 Baskets Cafe is located at Asheville Poverty Initiative's community space, 610 Haywood Rd., beneath Firestorm Bookstore - entrance is in the back off of State St.

06/23/2026

Explore the Realities of Poverty through our Education Program. Partnering with those who have firsthand experience in poverty, our educators guide diverse audiences, offering insights into agency resources and daily challenges in Asheville.

Join us for a guided tour, discovering practical aspects of navigating poverty. Gain firsthand insights into available resources, and understand the impact of poverty on us all. If walking one mile is a challenge, contact us for alternative educational options. Together, let's foster understanding and empathy.

We are excited to announce we are now open to individuals. Learn by doing. Challenge your stereotypes. Walks will happen on the final Saturday each month - 10:30a-12:30p. $25/person (suggested donation. All are welcome!)

The Mission: We educate K-12 and college students, business employees and owners, faith communities, elected leaders, and community members about economic justice issues and solutions.

06/17/2026

Join us as we celebrate 10 years! This event is just the start of a months long party and fundraising effort for our beloved organization!

When: June 18th from 6 to 8 pm

Where: 🌞DayTrip🌈 - 174 Broadway St.

What to expect:

🐶 pet portraits by Jennifer Bennett

🎧 music from Local DJ Hushpuppy

🍹 specialty drinks from 🌞DayTrip🌈

🍪 treats from Back Porch Baking Co

06/15/2026

Hi friends,

Did you know that 2026 marks 10 years for Asheville Poverty Initiative and our two programs, 12 Baskets Café and Realities of Poverty education?

For the past decade, we’ve been humbled and grateful to grow this work alongside you. Every day, API pushes back against broken systems, injustice, misinformation, and the myth that there isn’t enough to go around.

We do that through simple but powerful acts: sharing meals, centering the stories and voices of neighbors with lived experience of poverty and homelessness, creating access to basic needs with dignity and respect, and building the kind of community that helps us live differently.

At API, we say community cures poverty. And for 10 years, this community has shown up. Volunteers, donors, businesses, neighbors, and friends have helped us prove that abundance is real, connection matters, and love is a force for change.

Now we’re looking ahead.
Today, we’re launching our “For the Next 10” campaign to help sustain and grow API’s work for the next decade.
We’ve grown because the needs around poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity have grown. But we’ve also grown because the need for human connection, dignity, and community is more urgent than ever.
We hope you’ll be part of what comes next.

Stay tuned this week for more about the campaign, or visit our website now to learn more and make a gift.

With gratitude, Ben

06/12/2026

Thank you OWL Bakery for the donation! We love the pastries y'all give us.

06/10/2026

We love our little Cafe dearly and all the little details that make it the unique place it is. From the sunflowers lovingly grown along the sidewalk, to the art created just for the love of it, to all the words of encouragement, our Cafe is a meeting place for all.

Join us for lunch or one of our many after hours programs (🔗 in bio). See ya at the Baskets!

06/09/2026

Happy birthday to our favorite techy, Jensen!

Last week we celebrated our good friend Jensen's Birthday. We are so fortunate to have him as a constant and positive presence at the cafe. Jensen is a great example of how you can give your time and talents to others.

In honor of his birthday consider donating your gently used cell phones, tablets, and headphones to our tech donation drive! You can drop off anytime at 12 Baskets during our open hours or stop in on Tech Tuesday from 10:30-12:30.

06/06/2026

Meet Community Chaplain, Hill Brown!

"I'm Hill and I'm the chaplain at Twelve Baskets. Since September of 2024 I have provided spiritual care and help navigating local services for cafe visitors, volunteers, and staff whenever the cafe is open. I also visit members of our community in jail and in the hospital.

Gentrification, the war on people who use drugs, and escalating systemic violence create a lot of emotional and spiritual distress. I am grateful to be able to accompany folks during this particularly challenging moment in such a low barrier space. Twelve Baskets is a sanctuary."

Hill is at 12 Baskets Cafe every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday durring our open hours of 10 am to 1 pm.

06/05/2026

Join us as we celebrate 10 years! This event is just the start of a months long party and fundraising effort for our beloved organization!

When: June 18th from 6 to 8 pm
Where: @.avl - 174 Broadway St.
What to expect:
Local musicians and DJs
Drinks & dancing
By donation, pet portraits

Ten years ago, Asheville Poverty Initiative, and with it 12 Baksets Cafe, was started with a mission to build community and educate about poverty. “For the Next 10” is our campaign to build the future of our mission by investing in the next decade of transformation, connection, and community impact.

As we look ahead, this campaign is more than fundraising—it’s a commitment to building an Asheville that recognizes our abundance, centers the voices of those with lived experience, and strengthens the relationships that make lasting change possible. Every gift helps ensure that we can continue to build a more connected and compassionate Asheville for the next 10 years.

06/02/2026

What a crew! We couldn't do it without our fabulous dish crew! (not all pictured here)

Want to volunteer with us?
We host a new volunteer orientation that is every Thursday morning at 10:00 am. We function like a cafe/restaurant, so you would help by casually waiting on tables, helping with dishes, or helping in our free grocery store. There is always time for you to sit down to eat and meet people yourself as well. We do not currently run an online sign-up for volunteers; simply show up and we will gladly find ways for you to support (and be supported!).

Address

610 Haywood Road Ste. B
Asheville, NC
28806

Opening Hours

Monday	11am - 1pm
Tuesday	11am - 1pm
Thursday	11am - 1pm
Friday	11am - 1pm
Saturday	10am - 12pm
Sunday	10am - 12pm

Telephone

+18282322149

Website

http://www.ashevillepovertyinitiative.org/

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