Lily Korpella Rebuilds Career and Community at Asheville Humane Thrift

Lily Korpella was profiled as lead intake at Asheville Humane Thrift after rebuilding her career following a job loss tied to Tropical Storm Helene. Her day-to-day work processing donations keeps the store stocked and helps maintain low-priced options for residents facing tighter household budgets, making her role a quiet but essential part of Asheville’s local economy.

Korpella moved into nonprofit retail after losing her previous position in the storm’s aftermath and found purpose in work that combines logistics with community service. As lead intake, she oversees incoming donations, ensures items flow onto the sales floor, and helps the thrift store remain a steady source of affordable clothing, household goods, and other necessities for Buncombe County shoppers. That steady supply matters in a region where many households watch spending closely and seek lower-cost alternatives to new retail.

Her story also highlights the social side of thrift-store operations. Korpella values the connection with donors and shoppers alike and sees the store as a place where neighbors help neighbors by passing on usable goods. That circulation of items reduces waste, stretches local dollars, and keeps community ties active in ways that matter beyond a single transaction.

Outside work, Korpella is an avid hiker and holds a scuba-diving certification, interests that reflect Asheville’s outdoor culture. She has family ties to Chicago and has said she plans to continue developing her career while deepening community connections in Asheville. Her path from storm-related job loss to a leadership role at the thrift store illustrates both individual resilience and the role local nonprofits play in economic recovery and everyday affordability.

This profile appeared as part of a People at Work series spotlighting local workers and their stories. For Buncombe County readers, Korpella’s experience is a reminder that local labor markets and community institutions are closely linked: when environmental shocks or economic disruptions displace workers, nonprofit employers and volunteer-led operations often absorb talent and provide new pathways for steady employment.

As the community looks ahead, the thrift store’s operations and staff like Korpella will remain practical resources for residents managing rising costs, while also offering a model for how local organizations can help rebuild careers and sustain neighborhood lifelines.