With the holidays approaching amid uncertainties over long-standing programs that provide food to the needy, Yancey’s NC High Peaks Trail Association is hosting a food drive, including an event at Mt. Mitchell State Park on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 

All are invited to donate non-perishable food in person at Mt. Mitchell, or to make a monetary donation simply by going to the High Peaks website, www.nchighpeaks.org/MMSPFoodDrive. All the money donated will be used to purchase food items, and all the food bought or donated will be distributed to families living in Yancey County.
 

Participants who want to visit Mt. Mitchell in person are invited to make a 2-mile hike from the Park Office to the summit with their food in a backpack to show solidarity with those in need. All hikers will receive a certificate honoring their donation showing the weight of the food they carried to the top and will be awarded a free tee-shirt, while supplies last.
 

But you don’t have to hike: if you come to the Park, you can also simply drop off your food or make a monetary donation. 
 

High Peaks volunteers will be stationed at the Park Office, at the summit parking area and on the summit itself to collect your food or monetary donations and to provide more information.

In case of bad weather, back-up plans will be announced within 24 hours of the event on the Mt. Mitchell State Park website, the High Peaks Facebook page and the club’s website, www.nchighpeaks.org.

Participants should note that the only access to Mt. Mitchell State Park is on the Blue Ridge Parkway from the Asheville area. The Parkway remains closed between Mt. Mitchell and NC 80  in Yancey County due to damage from Hurricane Helene.

Yancey-based High Peaks is the official “Friends of Mt. Mitchell State Park” organization, and is proud to cooperate with Park staff and rangers in this effort to support the needy in our community.

If you can’t hike, or can’t make it to Mt. Mitchell on Saturday, please consider going to www.nchighpeaks.org and making a donation by clicking on the “MMSP Food Drive” button on the main page.