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Presented by BB Barns, AIRfriends\u00a0is a brand-new giving campaign designed to support the AIR in its mission to sustain, elevate and advocate for the city\u2019s dynamic community of chefs and restaurants.<\/p>\nFor more than 18 years, the Asheville Independent Restaurant (AIR) Association has faithfully supported the city\u2019s culinary community through advocacy, education, and, most recently, connection to crucial resources during COVID-19. Now AIR is reaching out for a little help from friends of the restaurants we all know and love with the launch of AIRfriends, its first-ever fundraising campaign.<\/p>\n
Presented by BB Barns, AIRfriends\u00a0is a brand-new giving campaign designed to support the AIR in its mission to sustain, elevate and advocate for the city\u2019s dynamic community of chefs and restaurants.<\/p>\n
In recent months, AIR\u2019s board of directors responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with the difficult decision to forgo the organization\u2019s two largest annual fundraisers: the 2021 AIR Passport and the 2020 Taste of Asheville event.<\/p>\n
Because AIR cares deeply about the safety of Asheville diners and the well-being of its member restaurants, it saw no other options. But the loss of revenue from these efforts has seriously jeopardized the organization\u2019s financial stability at a time when its nonstop work advocating and linking to information and resources for the industry is more vital than ever, says Michel Baudouin, AIR co-founder and Bouchon and RendezVous owner.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of those organizations that flies under the radar but does so much,\u201d says Baudouin. \u201cWhat restaurants are trying to do right now is just stay in business, and this winter especially is a very scary period for us. AIR has never been as important as it is right now, because our members desperately need the help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Contributing to AIRfriends is an easy way to help ensure the well-being of Asheville\u2019s vibrant, dynamic food scene during a time when restaurants across the nation are struggling to survive. Donations of any amount will help support AIR\u2019s pivotal work to keep Asheville\u2019s beloved independent restaurants open and thriving.<\/p>\n