Mission Health donates $75,000 to support Code Purple shelters in Asheville
Asheville, N.C. — HCA Healthcare’s Mission Health has donated $75,000 to support Code Purple shelter operations in Asheville and Buncombe County. The donation was presented to the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care (CoC), the collaborative body that leads the community’s response to homelessness.
The funds will support shelter operations through Code Purple, a coordinated community response that expands emergency shelter capacity during dangerously cold temperatures. This effort ensures that no one in Asheville or Buncombe County has to sleep outside when the weather becomes unsafe.
“We at the Asheville Buncombe Continuum of Care are so appreciative of Mission's investment in this lifesaving initiative,” said Emily Ball, Manager in the City of Asheville’s Homeless Strategy Division. “Code Purple is an important collaborative, as none of us can impact homelessness singlehandedly, but if we all contribute what we can, we can move the needle as a community, and I appreciate Mission's willingness to contribute so substantially to this effort.”
Mission Health President and CEO Greg Lowe and Mission Hospital Chief Operating Officer Melina Arrowood were present for the check presentation.
“At Mission Health, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life — and that commitment extends beyond the walls of our hospitals,” said Greg Lowe, President and CEO of Mission Health. “We recognize the critical work being done by our community partners to care for our unhoused neighbors, especially during the winter months. Supporting Code Purple is one way we can help ensure that everyone in our community has access to safe, warm shelter when it matters most.”
The $75,000 donation will help address a critical gap in operating costs for Code Purple shelters, which are managed by community organizations including Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM), Safe Shelter, Homeward Bound and The Salvation Army.
The Code Purple season officially begins on November 1. During a Code Purple alert, additional shelter capacity is activated, and transportation and outreach efforts are increased to ensure those in need can access resources.
Mission Health continues to be part of the community’s safety net, providing not only healthcare but also support for initiatives that address the broader social determinants of health, including housing and shelter security.