Hurricane Relief: Help Habibi Village Recover

Hello, beloved community members, customers, and friends,

My name is Maan Abou Khzam , and I am the founder of Habibi Village. Our mission is to bring the beautiful, community-centered culture of traditional Lebanese street food to Asheville and beyond. Through crafting traditional Saj breads with high quality organic and gluten free ingredients, we’re offering a product we truly believe in, and our Asheville community has rallied behind us. Over the past two years, we’ve served more than 15,000 flatbreads at farmers markets in North Asheville, West Asheville, Weaverville, and Black Mountain, and festivals in Kentucky, Colorado, Miami, Virginia. We are launching this Gofundme to help Habibi Village recover from the economic consequences of this destructive storm.

As many of you know, most of Western North Carolina is still reeling from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. The scale of destruction is overwhelming, and thousands are still relying on generosity and altruism for basic essentials, like food and shelter. Through the heartbreak, it's been inspiring to see how our community has come together to rebuild and help those in need, and we, at Habibi Village, are determined to do our part. In the days following the storm, we were on the front lines giving away free flatbread in downtown Asheville, Weaverville, and Barnardsville. However, much like many other small businesses across WNC, Habibi Village has felt the financial toll of Helene in a deeply challenging way.

The storm struck just days after we proudly launched our food truck on 227 south Liberty Street. With no power and water, we were forced to close for the entire month of October. This extended closure, combined with the cancellation of Leaf festival, resulted in revenue loss of around 40 K. This has left us financially vulnerable as we approach the slower winter months. We came to the decision to close down our food trailer at downtown location and double down on what's working for us being at farmers market.

What’s in the Saj Flatbread?

Each Saj flatbread is a scratch-made, wholesome meal packed with ~11g of protein and loaded with fresh, high-quality ingredients:

The Bread:

- Organic Buckwheat

- Organic Cassava Flour

- Organic Chia Seeds

-Organic Turmeric

The Seasoning:

Organic Zaatar: A superfood imported from an artisanal producer in Lebanon, made with thyme, sesame, sumac, and Lebanese olive oil. Rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and vitamin C.

The Filling:

- Locally sourced goat cheese from Asheville’s 3 Graces Dairy, Grassroots Feta, Dare Cheese, Serotonin Saurkraut, Spicewitches Chili Oil.

- All Organic (greens, tomatoes, cucumber) and Kalamata olives

The Result:

A meal that’s nourishing, delicious, and full of flavor— comfort that brings joy while healing the body.

Our People

At the heart of Habibi Village are the incredible people who make the magic happen. We deeply value and care for our team, supporting them on their journeys to reach their dreams and goals.

Most of our staff are part time helpers– primarily artists, musicians, and creative minds, who bring their unique talents to this heart-centered work. They’re dedicated to building community and serving others with love and compassion.

When I reached out to some of our team members for testimonials a few days ago, this is what they had to say:

Nick Morse: Baker

“Habibi Village has not only given me the opportunity to share bread with the community but also to share a piece of my heart.

Providing nourishing food is more than just an act of service—it's a profound gift. To me, this embodies one of the most inspiring values of Habibi Village: fostering a spirit of connection and reciprocity. The Saj oven stands as a symbol of this generosity, bringing people together and enriching the Asheville community in ways that words alone cannot capture.”

Bodhi Fields: Baker

“Habibi village has opened countless doors, and facilitated many meaningful connections in my life. I’m grateful for this experience that is still unfolding.

Arjuna (Allan Smith): Baker Habibi Village is a safe space, with a supporting and uplifting working environment. I’m grateful to have witnessed being part of creating and nurturing community connection while I got the opportunity to deepen my expression authentically through rhythm and music. It gave me space to grow.”

Nikko (Nicole Hathaway) Food Trailer: Order Taker

“Habibi Village is so much more than a food truck—it’s a family & a community. From learning prayers to bless the bread to witnessing the joy on customers’ faces as they savor healthy, delicious Lebanese food, every moment I've had with Habibi Village is overflowing with care & intention. I'm certain the connections I've made here will last a lifetime & I want that for others too! It's a place where thoughtful sourcing, heartfelt preparation, & genuine connection come together to create something truly special for Asheville, NC.”

Thank you very much for considering donating to Habibi Village. We will keep you posted with our progress on our instagram social media channel @habibivillage

We’re grateful for every amount, no matter how small you think it may be. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing with friends that can!