"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

The Catawba County United Way (CCUW) is partnering with the Blue Ridge Piedmont Chapter of the American Red Cross to help families in the Claremont area affected by Tuesday’s storm which spawned a tornado.

Approximately 13 homes were destroyed.



To help families as they recover, the CCUW will act as a drop-off location for donations to help those devastated by the storm.

Items being collected include: paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning wipes, trash bags, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, soap and feminine hygiene products.



Donations can be dropped off at the CCUW office (2760 Tate Blvd SE in Hickory) Monday – Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The drive will start Jan. 16 and run through Jan. 31.

The CCUW will work with the American Red Cross to get donations to the families.

Call 828-327-6851 if you have any questions.

Hello 2024 - Catawba County United Way’s Executive Director Mark Bumgarner welcomes this year’s CCUW large grant funded partners. These 14 non-profit agencies are focused on improving the lives of those in need in the areas of health, income and education.

Watch the full VIDEO at THIS LINK.

To help understand the scope of homelessness in Catawba County, the Housing Visions Continuum of Care group is preparing to conduct the annual Point in Time (PIT) count of homeless individuals at the end of this month. The purpose is to collect data that identifies gaps in services as well as barriers that prevent individuals and families from becoming successfully housed.

Accepting Donations

During the count process, homeless individuals and families are also provided with some much-needed items which are collected from the community.

Donations can be made throughout the month of January and can be dropped off at the Catawba County United Way (2760 Tate Blvd. SE, Hickory) or call 828-327-6851.

Items can also be purchased online and drop-shipped to the CCUW office by visiting https://www.ccunitedway.com/MindfulGiving.



Donations needed include batteries, flashlights, combs/brushes, ponchos, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, sleeping bags, gloves, first aid kits/band-aids, backpacks (gently used or new), socks and toboggans/knitted caps.

Items need to be received by Jan. 29.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires the PIT count for a community to be eligible for government funding used to address housing issues. The count from 2022 showed 261 people were experiencing homelessness in Catawba County which included 35 families with children.



For more information about the PIT county contact Amber Story, Partners Health Management housing specialist, 704-813-1196 or astory@partnersbhm.org.

Thank You…Thank You to The Green Room Community Theater in Newton.

They hosted an end of the year school supply drive through December, benefitting the Catawba County United Way’s annual outreach to local public schools.

We appreciate their partnership and all The Green Room Community Theater does throughout the year to support local non-profits.

Thanks again.

In the photo: (Left) Cathy Banner, The Green Room executive director and Melissa French, administrative assistant.

Safe Harbor of NC - Hickory

112 2nd Ave SE, Hickory, NC 28602

• Women Only

• 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday

• 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Thursday

• Breakfast, shower, and access to wash clothes provided

First United Methodist Church of Newton

300 N Main Ave, Newton, NC 28658

• Next week: Jan. 16, 17, 18 and 19

• 6 p.m. – 8 a.m.

• Dinner and breakfast provided

• cots are available for sleeping

Strong Life Rescue Mission

1209 Fairgrove Church Rd SE, Conover, NC 28613

• 8:30am – 3:30pm Monday – Saturday

Salvation Army Shelter of Hope

760 3rd Ave Pl SE, Hickory, NC 28602

This year the Salvation Army Shelter of Hope is providing a warm spot to stay overnight during certain situations outlined below:

WHITE FLAG – nights when weather is 35° or below. When determined:

• The Salvation Army will fly a white flag on the flagpole to indicate that the Shelter of Hope will be open for shelter to anyone for the night due to freezing temperatures

• Intake for White flag begins a 7 p.m.

• White Flag guests will be served dinner before entrance into the Shelter of Hope at 5 p.m.

• White Flag guests will be bedded on a cot in the dining room for the night

• White Flag guests will be offered a breakfast before leaving out for the day at 7 a.m. the next morning

BLUE FLAG – days when there is snow cover on the ground, ice on the roads, or dangerous conditions outside for pedestrians and vehicles to be outside because weather condition are hazardous. When determined:

• The Salvation Army will fly a blue flag on the flagpole to indicate that the Shelter of Hope will be open for the day to anyone that stayed overnight at the shelter the night before instead of requiring them to leave for the day until conditions outside improve and become safe for pedestrians and vehicles to be outside

• Blue Flag days begin at 8 a.m.

• Blue Flag guests will remain in the building in the dining room and cannot leave the premises. If they leave, they may not return until evening intake.

• Blue Flag guests will be served lunch during this time

Know of any other resources let the United Way know.

Call 828-327-6851 or email jbailey@ccunitedway.com.

We've all heard the phrase - "It takes a village," and in the non-profit world it's true. The Catawba County United Way enjoys building relationships with its community partners and sees how much greater our impact is because of our collective efforts every day.

Below are some upcoming programs and events from just a few of those partners...please share, and if you're interested, the Catawba County Interagency Council meets the second Thursday every month at the United Way office - 2760 Tate Blvd SE in Hickory.

Call 828-327-6851 for more information or email jbailey@ccunitedway.com.

From food resources, emergency financial assistance, housing, healthcare, transportation - NC 211 can help you find out which services are available in your community.

NC 211 is available 24/7/365 to connect you to local resources. Call us at 2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162 or visit https://nc211.org/.

Catawba County United Way is one of several community partners who help fund this program every year.