What YOU can do about HUNGER and HOMELESSNESS.. Local Agencies that are actively fighting hunger and homelessness…. Bakery: Flowers Bakery: (828-327-2477) Discounts an additional 10% for feeding programs. Catawba County United Way (828-327-6851) - provides free and confidential, 24/7 information and referral for Health and Human Services in Catawba County by dialing a 3-digit phone number 2-1-1. Provides funding for emergency and crisis financial assistance through local non-profits. Catawba County Meals on Wheels (828- 695-5610) Serving homebound seniors 60 and older a hot meal 3 days a week, and two frozen meals delivered by community volunteers. For those not on Meals on Wheels routes, 20 Frozen meals a month are provided and delivered monthly by volunteers. Catawba HOPE (Help Our People Eat) Christine Cofer (828-312-8298) Community Gardens tended by volunteer individuals and organizations. Individuals who work the gardens are allowed to take some of the produce. The bulk goes to the Hickory Soup Kitchen, ECCCM, Kenworth Hall, The Corner Table, & other agencies/programs in Catawba County. http://catawbahope.wordpress.com/ Christian Community Outreach Ministries (CCOM) (828-328-1803) Providing financial and biblical counseling for those who are poor, needy and in distress. GED program through CVCC. Emergency assistance for food and clothing. Community Link (704-943-9516) Serving homeless single female veterans, homeless veteran families and veterans with substance abuse issues with supportive services and housing. Referrals will need to go through Health Care for Homeless Veterans, VA Outreach Social Worker at 704-638-9000 ext 4133 or 3466 for Intake and Referral. Program serves Catawba, Gaston, Mecklenburg and Rowan counties. Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministries (ECCCM) (828-465-1702) Services include provision of food, clothing, emergency financial assistance and information and referral. Clothing and household items may also be purchased at minimal prices in their thrift store. ECCCM also accepts and distributes donations for the homeless. Exodus Homes (828-962-8196) Gives transitional and permanent supportive housing for homeless recovering addicts, alcoholics, and formerly incarcerated people returning to our community from treatment programs and prison. Family Care Center (828-324-9917) Serving homeless families with dependent
children through an emergency and transitional residential program. Family Guidance Center (828-322-1400) A community agency giving support to families and children in times of stress.
Foothills Homeless Veteran Stand Down and Unifour Veterans Helping Veterans Larry McMullen (828)320-2842 or Jim Starkey (828)294-0184 Assisting homeless and at-risk veterans with case management, shelter, clothing, employment resources, mentor/support groups and other necessities. Grace House (828-324-0025) A day program for homeless and at-risk individuals providing case management, substance abuse referrals, recovery support, employment resources, assistance with disability applications, GED, and other personal needs Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministries (GHCCM) (828-327-0979) Provides food security, shower, clothing, household items (through a voucher system) and financial assistance for utilities and rent/mortgage. Clothing and household items may also be purchased at minimal prices from the Thrift Store. GHCCM is also the primary provider for free health care and free prescriptions to uninsured individuals. ) GHCCM distributes items to homeless and other individuals per donor instructions. Grocery Stores: Food Lion (828- 328-2443), Harris Teeter (828- 322-2888), Galaxy (828322-4990), and Lowes Foods (828-294- 1555) donate food items to Second Harvest Food Bank and CCM; Food Lion provides donation bags for customers to purchase for GHCCM and ECCCM. Habitat for Humanity (828- 345-1256) Builds homes in partnership with Catawba County residents in need of an affordable decent place to live. Hickory Soup Kitchen (828-327-4828) Provides a nutritious midday meal for those in need. Our Father’s Pavilion (828-327-0917) A Sunday morning outreach gathering for the homeless on Union Square (Hickory). They provide breakfast, a worship service and assistance with food, clothing, blankets, tents, and personal items.
Partners Behavioral Health Management 1-888-235-HOPE (4673) Formed on July 2012 through the merger of Crossroads Behavioral Healthcare, Mental Health Partners, and Pathways LME. Partners BHM oversees the publicly-funded behavioral health service system for residents of Burke, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Surry, and Yadkin counties. Assists with connecting individuals and families affected by major mental illness, substance abuse, and intellectual and developmental disabilities to needed services. Restaurants: Atlanta Bread Company and Panera Bread donate at end of day to feeding programs. Ridgeview Saturday Breakfast Program (828-294-4531) Serves a hot breakfast every Saturday morning at the Sunny Valley Community Center in the Ridgeview neighborhood in Hickory. Safe Harbor Rescue Mission for Women (828-326-7233) Provides day shelter, case management and positive programming for women and their children experiencing
homelessness; one year residential program for those seeking a more comprehensive life change; and transitional housing for those meeting criteria. Second Harvest Food Bank (828-324-8030) Assists soup kitchens, emergency pantries, emergency shelters, low-income day cares, senior programs and group homes by collecting and redistributing food to helping agencies. Seniors Morning Out (828-695-5610) Serving individuals 60 years of age and older with a hot nutritious meal at five locations within Catawba County from 8:30-12:30. Shepherd’s Heart (828-256-0062) a non-profit organization that does outreach to the homeless community trying to provide basic necessities and assist with connecting individuals to mainstream services. They also have access to some household items and furnishings. Sipes Orchard Home (828-256-5056) Transitional housing program for youth ages 16-21 years old. The Backpack Program, (828) 695-5648 - Amanda Freeland, a collaborative program of Catawba County Department of Social Services and ECCCM assisting students with food for the weekend. The Corner Table - Newton (828-464-0355) Serves nutritious meals to any men, women and children in need. The Salvation Army (828-322-8061) Provides emergency assistance with utilities, shelter, food, heating, and clothing to those in a crisis situations.
Things you can do….. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Fill a grocery bag for a local agency or your church’s food pantry. Volunteer at any of the agencies who help Donate funds to any of the agencies who help Don’t waste food at home ; get a “to go” box when you eat out Donate excess prepared or uncooked food to local agencies Help an unemployed person look for a job! Write your elected officials, asking them to expand national nutrition programs. Patronize the businesses which help! Use your Lowe’s Foods “green points” to make a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank (simply call the number on the back of your card and indicate your desire to donate the points in your account. This must be done each time you wish to donate.) 10. Click on thehungersite.com once a day to donate a cup of food! 11. Collect items to fill a backpack for the “Point in Time” Homeless Count in January, 2013 Complete list available from Teena Willis at Partners Behavioral Health Management 828-323-8084
