Before Tropical Storm Helene, the nonprofit Bounty & Soul set up five weekly markets — parsing out boxes with up to 18 different items (think fresh kale, beets, oranges, bread, etc.) — and assisting nearly 9,860 individuals every month.
Since the storm, founder and Executive Director Ali Casparian says the nonprofit has seen a nearly 200% increase in food needs. The organization’s farmers market truck now journeys to 10 markets a week and serves nearly 26,000 people a month.
The challenge, says Casparian, is maintaining the level of financial support the nonprofit experienced in the immediate aftermath of the storm, especially as demand continues to soar…