Community Member Profile: Jen Murphy

This week we highlight a volunteer who we wouldn’t be here without! Jen Murphy is on our Garden Committee and Fundraising Team, as well as food pick ups for the cafe,  heading up composting and gleaning operations, and is instrumental in our marketing/event efforts.

Jen is the bread of the sandwich. You can’t have the sandwich without the bread. Its so vital to keeping us all together but not always called out by name. Thanks for all you do for the community Jen!

How long have you been a part of Asheville Poverty Initiative? How did you first come to us/hear about us?

I first came to the cafe in 2017. I was salvaging flowers from Trader Joe’s every week as part of my gleaning for Society of St. Andrew. There were so many going to waste.  I heard about the cafe at an event at Firestorm. I came in and asked Shannon if I could bring flower arrangements for the tables. She of course said yes, and I started to come almost every week. We had tomato sauce jar vases full of fresh flowers for about a year. I stayed and ate when I delivered the flowers, and got to know volunteers like Betty and Anne, and the regulars. I felt so welcome and accepted. And I was happy to bring extra food home for my family. When the flowers stopped coming, I kept going. 

How do you contribute most often to API’s mission (pick up food, wash dishes, help with writing group, tell jokes at the cafe, etc.)?

I am on the fundraising committee and help plan the events. Two years ago I held a series of community mosaic workshops and we made pavers for the garden. I hope to do that again this summer to repair and add to them. I also help on the garden committee, and pick up food.

How has your life or perspective changed since becoming involved?

Knowing people by name who deal with extreme poverty - hearing their stories, sitting next to them and conversing about what's for dessert and what our struggles and gratitudes are that day, has opened my eyes and my heart. I trust the principal of abundance even more now. There is enough for all. 

What is your favorite part of being involved?

Hanging out in the garden eating good food with friends. 

What do you believe are the biggest obstacles to ending poverty in our community, or the best solutions?

Greed, ignorance, wealth disparity, systemic racism and sexism are the root causes. Class consciousness, education, creativity and compassion are the solutions. 

What do you hope API achieves in the next 1-5 years?

I’d like to see us find a bigger building that we can own outright. That would give us more room for the abundance and the programs, as well as the stability to keep going. 

What is your best memory, so far?

I loved making mosaics under the maple tree in the garden! Also when people play music in the garden. 

What message do you have for other community members or supporters?

I get more back from this beautiful messy collective experience than I give. Come sit a spell, enjoy lunch, and check it out.