SHELTER UPDATE
www.UnionShelter.org l June 22 , 2020
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
  • WIXE again sponsors multi-month food drive for Shelter
  • One year in new facility makes a big difference in many lives
  • 105,918 pounds of food meals provided in weekly drive-thru pantry
  • 19 formerly homeless residents move to independent living
  • Pantry always needs these food items to distribute
  • Want to help?
Shelter gets grant for street outreach
We are happy to share much-needed supplies in our street outreach program to those experiencing homelessness. We received a $20,000 grant from Cardinal Innovations Healthcare which allocated $4,000 to this mission.

COO Melissa McKeown purchased water carriers for those living in a tent to wash with, hanging shower bags, plus pop-up tents to provide privacy while showering.

Other funds were designated to support Shelter programs whose expenses have increased due to COVID, such as cleaning and disposable supplies, pantry food, housing assistance and additional staff hours due to lower volunteer hours.
What a difference a year makes! One year ago, we moved into our new, two-building facility on Meadow Street in Monroe. It was an exciting time, to be sure - the culmination of several years of planning and fundraising.

Today, one year later, we continue to say “thank you” to everyone who participated in the fundraising and actual building project. We were extremely fortunate to have the building completely paid for though financial contributions, in-kind donations and donated labor. We’re going to say it again – we couldn’t do it without you!

Had we been in the old, very small facility during this COVID crisis, 
we could not have provided the depth of food and shelter services 
that we’ve been able to provide in the new facility. 

We are so grateful for the space, the volunteers who give from the heart and 
the ability to assist those experiencing hunger and homelessness in our county.
106,905 meals, 128,286 pounds of food distributed
Pantry volunteers load cars with groceries for safety of clients
Need groceries? Know someone who does? Please share this information.

The pantry is every Tuesday evening at the Shelter, 160 Meadow St. in Monroe, across from the Farmers Market on Skyway Drive. It starts at 5 p.m.

Participants will remain in their car. Our awesome volunteers will load the groceries! The pantry is open to any Union County resident in need.
19 county residents move from homelessness in May
Eight Union County families with 19 members moved from homelessness to independent living in May after temporary stays at the Community Shelter. All of these sweet people were dedicated participants in our Rapid Rehousing program.

In Rapid Rehousing, case managers help clients combine community resources to apply for, obtain and retain a job, improve their job skills, strengthen budgeting skills and address health issues.

We are so proud of everyone! To say that it’s difficult to move from homelessness and no money to having the funds and ongoing income to rent a new home is a gross understatement. Most of us will never know that difficulty and stress.

Two of the families were parents with children - one family with five children, the second with three. A third family was a couple, while five were single adults.

Our hearts burst with joy when clients’ hard work shows such success!
Here’s a link to our Amazon wishlist where you can order online and have delivered to the Community Shelter facility.
Want to help?

  • Want to provide a meal? Call Tara Bryant at 704-261-3491. If you’d like to donate a meal, but cannot cook it, we encourage ordering a meal from a local restaurant for delivery. A win-win situation!

  • Need food assistance? Call Victoria Maye at 704-261-3496.
  • Your financial donation allows us to use the funds in the most-efficient way. Click DONATE or send a check to 160 Meadow St., Monroe, NC 28110.

Please stay safe!