For the Next 10
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.
“12 Baskets is an incredible melting pot that has seeded new relationships into my life. With all of the segregation in American society, it’s refreshing to have a place where people from many walks of life can get together and share their experiences. I moved from a mental state that sometimes included fear about people walking down my local streets to learning peoples’ stories, building understanding, and making new friends.”
Jensen Gelfond
Owner of Asheville Digital Lifestyle & Organizer of Tech Tuesday at 12 Baskets
The campaign focuses on three things:
Keep the table open
Every day at 12 Baskets, neighbors share a meal. No cost, no barriers, no stigma. Your contributions keep the kitchen running and the doors open.
Keep telling the truth about poverty
Your support helps bring real stories, lived experience, and community learning into the open.
Keep holding the space together
Rent, utilities, and basic operations aren’t flashy, but without them, none of this exists. Your gift keeps this space rooted and reliable.
What People Are Saying
How your contribution helps our community:
