A new addition to Asheville’s South Slope, parked outside Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, is catching eyes and hearts alike. Known as the HOPE Bus, it officially opened to the public on July 4.
Cheryl Antoncic, co-owner of Bear’s Smokehouse and founder of the Linked4Life Foundation, leads the initiative. The foundation’s mission is dedicated to tackling the stigma surrounding mental health, and the HOPE Bus marks its latest effort.
Visitors are invited to stop by and contribute a small donation to the foundation. In return, they can write messages of hope to be displayed inside the bus.
Originally, the HOPE Bus was a retired Bear’s bus that served food during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Antoncic, repurposing it into a symbol of hope was a natural step forward.
“The idea for the HOPE Bus began in 2019, following the tragic loss of a former manager to suicide,” Antoncic explained. “That event spurred us to create a space where people can see that someone cares.”
All proceeds from the HOPE Bus will fund free counseling services for food and beverage workers in Asheville, continuing Bear’s Smokehouse’s commitment to supporting the community.
