'Everyone deserves a spot on the M.A.P.': Local nonprofit works to open cafe on Bouchelle

A week shy of the anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s path of destruction in Western North Carolina, David Moses sits in a cozy nook of what was originally an Episcopal Church and reflects on the year’s work to help those impacted by the brutal storm. But one thing remains certain: there’s still more work to be done.

Moses, director of operations with the Mountain Aid Project (M.A.P.), said that while the storm happened a year ago, many rural communities that don’t reap the benefits of tourism are still reeling. As the cooler weather creeps in, board member Hillary Kline said there are still many people living in tents and M.A.P. is working to try and get sheds up for them.

“Just because it might not always be apparent when you’re driving around urban centers, that doesn’t mean that there’s not a lot of people still with essentially nothing,” Moses said. “The work to be done is absolutely practical. It’s making sure that those people have clothes on their backs, food in their mouths.”

Founder Kristin Watson started the nonprofit in the wake of Hurricane Helene to address logistical issues in smaller mountain communities, who were having to turn away inventory, which then led to a lack of inventory. The function of the mission started before the formation, Moses said, as Watson had a long professional career in shipping and distribution.

The organization previously used warehouse space across from The Grind, which was donated by Morganton Developer Ginny Erwin Bennett. The space was used as a restocking hub, where nonprofits stored inventory and assessed the needs of all of the smaller hubs and shipped inventory there. But now, M.A.P. is working to pivot to more of a community support role, while still remaining true to its original mission.

Moving into the former church building which most recently housed Divinity Donuts, Moses said the Mountain Aid Project’s team is planning to open a cafe, The Tilted Map, that will also serve as a hub for local nonprofits, a connection point for those in need, a retail space for the People Over Profit clothing line, and a site for community art and sustainability workshops.

The group closed on the building in mid-August and has been working to get the new space ready to serve fresh food and coffee. The coffee served will be proprietary blends named after each of M.A.P.’s partners. For example, the organization works with Project Skyline in Spruce Pine, so the cafe will offer a Skyline blend, where 100% of the proceeds will go toward the partnering nonprofit.

For food, Moses said The Tilted Map will start with serving baked goods, all either made in-house or sourced from local bakers. But phase two will offer breakfast foods and some small lunch offerings like salads and sandwiches.

“But then after cafe hours, starting like ‘after hours at The Tilted Map,’ and then that’s when the community events will come in,” Moses said. “We’re talking arts workshops, a lot of sustainability and ecology education.”

Mushroom identification classes, raised bed gardening classes, textile workshops, pottery nights, and more, are all ideas that M.A.P. hopes to bring in to get the community engaged. Moses also said that M.A.P. is hoping to include a computer hub for people as well.

With The Tilted Map, the organization is also focusing on helping the community through job creation and connecting individuals with other partners that provide services like medical and mental health care.

The Tilted Map will likely open as a community space before it opens as a cafe, but Moses said M.A.P. is hoping to have the cafe open before the end of the year. The team still has to get equipment, secure staff, and undergo inspections, which could be a lengthy process. The main project, Moses said, is getting the commercial kitchen set up in the downstairs area, which is currently empty.

For those that want to help contribute to M.A.P.’s mission, Moses said to reach out through social media. Moses said there are many scheduled opportunities for people who want to help out, as M.A.P. is officially tied to 10-12 different organizations that each have their own niche.

“If you’re not shy of a hard day’s work, there’s a lot to be done,” Moses said, adding that M.A.P. can help people find an area to help that matches their skill sets with people’s needs.