The Bread of Life Capital Campaign
A Place
at the Table
A Community Kitchen & Pantry
For 30 years our doors have been open to every neighbor.
No qualifications, no judgement, no questions asked.
Now we are building a permanent home worthy of the community we serve.
$4.5M
Campaign goal
300+
Meals Every Day
In 2024, we served just 50 meals a day. Today, that number has grown by 500%, and that number continues to rise with community need.
168,000+
LBS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTED
Food reaches neighbors through direct service and community partnerships across Transylvania County.
4,000
NEIGHBORS IN POVERTY
Nearly 4,000 county residents live at or below the poverty line*. A new facility means we can reach more residents and turn no one away
* 2020 U.S. decennial census
INTRODUCTION
The Bread of Life
Who we are
Our Mission:
To provide food to all those in need in Transylvania County.
No questions asked.
For nearly three decades, Bread of Life has been a cornerstone of hope and nourishment for the people of Transylvania County. As a community kitchen and non-profit organization dedicated to providing daily hot meals and support to those in need, our mission extends beyond food to create a sense of dignity, community, and belonging. We regularly connect those we serve with other local organizations to access vital resources such as food stamps, legal assistance, emotional support, conflict resolution, and medical care.
The Bread of Life is also a community effort. We operate with dedicated volunteers from churches, schools, farms, scouting troops, civic groups, and compassionate individuals like you.
Today, The Bread of Life faces a pivotal moment in the life of our organization and service to our neighbors. Our current facility is no longer sufficient to meet the growing demands of our community. To continue and expand our impact, we need your help to build a new facility that reflects our mission and vision for the future.
“Everyone deserves a place at the table with no questions asked.”
– PAULA WESLEY, BREAD OF LIFE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kitchen at Capacity
We cannot serve more neighbors without more space and equipment.
Volunteers in Tight Conditions
Our dedicated volunteers work in cramped, inefficient spaces that limit what we can do.
Dining Room not able to accommodate all
Guests are often forced to wait for seating or take meals to go.
Limited Storage
Food distribution across the county is constrained by inadequate cold and dry storage.
A GROWING NEED
The Mission Has
Outgrown the Building
We have a growing need in our community…
Our existing building, more than 95 years old, has served us well but can no longer support our growing operations. We face urgent and costly structural threats that jeopardize our ability to serve the community safely and effectively. We need better kitchen and food storage facilities, along with more space for meals and food education programs for our neighbors and community.
Our space is nearing the end of its useful life
A natural stream of water runs beneath our building. Over time, this has begun to erode the building’s foundation. We estimate that we may be able to remain in this facility for only three more years or less, before we are unable to use it.
During periods of heavy rain, the situation becomes even more dangerous. Our dining area floods frequently given the amount of rainfall we receive in WNC. This not only disrupts service but also creates a major safety hazard for our guests, particularly those who are elderly or disabled, as the risk of mold or encountering electrical problems is significant.
Given the age of the building, in addition to structural deterioration, critical systems are outdated and require frequent, costly repairs. The building lacks energy efficiency, resulting in high utility costs and environmental strain.
Space Limitations
Our kitchen is undersized and outdated, limiting meal preparation capacity. Our dining space is inadequate, often forcing guests to wait for seating or take meals to go, which undermines the communal atmosphere we strive to provide.
How you can help
The doors of Bread of Life were opened to us by the loving hand of Paula Wesley, Executive Director. We were welcomed to the Family at Bread of Life, not just as donors, but partners in pursuit of a brighter future. It is a compelling endeavor which we intend to support vigorously.
– Jerry Jackson
OUR VISION
Our Vision
of the future
The new Bread of Life facility will be more than just a building, it will be a hub of hope and transformation.
A State-of-the-Art Kitchen
Designed for efficiency to prepare and serve more meals with speed and safety.
An Expanded Dining Area
A welcoming space where guests can enjoy meals in dignity and comfort.
Multi-Use Community Rooms
For support groups, training sessions, and partner programming.
Enhanced Accessibility
A fully ADA-compliant facility to serve all guests equally.
Sustainable Design
Energy-efficient systems that reduce operating costs and protect the environment.
Food Storage Area
Tripled previous capacity.
How you can help
Naming Opportunities
First Floor Plan
SCALE 1/8” =1’0”
BUILDING AREA:
First Floor: 5,350 SF (conditioned, excludes awnings/porch)
Second Floor: 2,231 SF (conditioned)
Total: 7,581 SF
SECOND Floor Plan
SCALE 1/8” =1’0”
“You shouldn’t have to qualify to eat.”
– PAULA WESLEY, BREAD OF LIFE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MORE THAN A BUILDING
The new Bread of Life facility will be more than just a building, it will be a Place at the Table and a place of hope and transformation that will service our community for years to come. With your support, we will:
- Triple our facility size, expanding from 2,461 to 7,581 square feet to meet the growing needs of our community.
- Expand our weekly meal service to meet the growing need in our community
- Create a safe, respectful environment that promotes healing, stability, and connection.
- Strengthen partnerships with local organizations, enhancing our collective response to hunger and poverty.
“No one stands alone.
We all need each other.”
MORE THAN A BUILDING
Naming & Recognition
opportunities
The Bread of Life Capital Campaign – A Place at the Table
Supporters of this campaign are invited to participate in our recognition opportunities. Your gift, of any amount, will have a direct and lasting impact.
Naming Opportunities
Leave a legacy by having your name and photograph, or that of a loved one, featured in our new facility. These prominent naming opportunities reflect our gratitude for transformative support and will be recognized permanently in our new home.
$1,500,000+
BUILDING NAMING
Permanent recognition on the new facility in honor of your lasting legacy in this community
$1,000,000+
DINING HALL
Name the heart of our new home. The Dining Hall is where meals become community, where neighbors sit down together with dignity. Your name lives at its entrance and throughout the space, permanently.
$750,000.00
KITCHEN
The engine behind every meal we serve. Naming our Commercial Kitchen honors the work that turns food into nourishment for hundreds of families a day, now and for decades to come.
$500,000.00
OUTDOOR PORCH SPACE
A space for gathering, fresh air, and quiet moments before or after a meal. Naming the Outdoor Porch honors a gift that welcomes people the moment they arrive.
$250,000
PANTRY ROOM
Where groceries and dry goods are stored and sorted before they reach the families who need them. A gift at this level names the quiet, essential work that keeps our shelves full.
BUILDING THE FUTURE TOGETHER
Campaign Budget
$4.5M Goal
A permanent investment in our community.
A lasting legacy of compassion and care.
Land is already secured and located right around the corner from our current building.
Pre-design planning has begun and leadership is in place.
56 Morgan Street, the future home of The Bread of Life.
Projected Costs
The following reflects projected costs for the new Bread of Life Community Kitchen. All figures are current estimates subject to refinement as architectural and engineering planning progresses. The land has been secured at no cost.
Construction ~55.6%
• Core building construction including structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roofing, exterior and interior finishes for the new facility.
Sitework & Miscellaneous ~24.4%
• Site preparation, grading, utilities, parking, landscaping, and miscellaneous project costs not captured in direct construction.
Kitchen Equipment ~6.7%
• Commercial-grade cooking, refrigeration, food storage, and distribution equipment designed to support expanded meal service capacity.
Furniture & Fixtures ~4.4%
• Dining tables, seating, shelving, casework, and fixtures throughout the facility.
Construction Contingency ~ 4.4%
• Reserve fund to address unforeseen conditions during construction, consistent with industry best practice for projects of this scale.
Architecture & Engineering ~ 2.2%
• Professional design, engineering, and construction administration services from schematic design through project completion.
Technology, IT & Security ~ 1.1%
• Network infrastructure, computers, point-of-service systems, security cameras, access control, and communications equipment.
Soft Cost Contingency ~ 1.1%
• Reserve fund applied to soft costs to cover unexpected professional fees, permitting delays, or other non-construction cost overruns.
“A community ready to grow.”
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Contact Us
Send us an email
CONTACT US
828-877-3577
capitalcampaign@breadoflifetc.org
238 S. Caldwell St.
Brevard, NC 28712
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