New Purple Pantry Installed in Avery County to Provide 24/7 Access to Life-Saving Resources

NEWLAND, N.C. – On Wednesday, May 7th, a new Purple Pantry was installed at High Country
Community Health in Newland (448 Cranberry St), expanding a regional initiative that provides free,
24/7 access to life-saving supplies and community-based recovery resources.

This Purple Pantry, part of a growing network across Western North Carolina, is a collaboration between
local harm reduction advocates and High Country Community Health. It offers essential items like
Narcan (naloxone nasal spray), fentanyl and xylazine test strips, recovery literature, peer support
referrals, and grief support materials, all available to the public 24/7 without barriers.

“This project reduces barriers for folks in our community to get what they need,” said Liz Hemby,
Licensed Clinical Social Worker associate and Behavioral Health Provider at High Country Community
Health. “From overdose-reversal medication to community resource information, people can come and
take what helps them or someone they care about move toward recovery.”

Mary McKinney, a therapist and longtime advocate for harm reduction, emphasized the project’s deeper
purpose of connection and remembrance. One section of the pantry invites visitors to leave handwritten
notes or letters in memory of loved ones lost to substance use. These submissions are treated with care:
“At a recent Recovery Month event, we created a ‘found poem’ from these notes and read the names
offered in them to honor those lost. We plan to extend such remembrance again,” McKinney shared.

The color purple is central to the pantry’s identity—not just visually, but symbolically. Purple is the
awareness color for opioid addiction and overdose prevention, making the vibrant pantry a visual signal
of support and solidarity for those affected by substance use disorder.

Sara Clark, a Medication Assisted Treatment Coordinator at High Country Community Health,
underscored the significance of bringing this resource to Avery County: “There’s currently no free
naloxone access point like this in the area. We’ve already distributed over 260 harm reduction items in
Watauga County, and I’m really excited to see how this can impact our community here.”

Organizers plan to monitor use and adapt the contents of the pantry based on community needs. More
Purple Pantry sites are already being planned in Asheville and other counties across the state.

About LiveWell Avery:
LiveWell Avery is a community-driven initiative launched by Avery County Government to connect
residents with essential health and wellness resources. The program fosters collaboration among local
organizations, empowering individuals with the knowledge and support needed to lead healthier lives.
Through education, outreach, and partnerships, LiveWell Avery promotes accessibility to programs that
enhance physical, mental, and community well-being. By uniting key stakeholders, the initiative aims to
create a stronger, healthier, and more connected Avery County.

Caption: Avery Medical location of High Country Community Health on Cranberry Street— Kenton McCollum, Kristen Sturgeon, Liz Hemby, Mary McKinney, Dr. Alysia Hoover-Thompson, Pam Hodges, Sara Clark