"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

Eight Catawba County nonprofits were recently awarded federal funds through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

They each received a share of $57,513 to supplement emergency food and shelter outreach in the county for Phase 41 of the program with the Catawba County United Way overseeing the administration of this grant process.

The local nonprofits receiving funds include Ashure Ministry for rent/mortgage, Exodus Homes for shelter, Family Guidance Center for shelter, Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry for rent/utilities, Hickory Soup Kitchen for food, The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory for food/rent/shelter and The Corner Table for food.

Have you been helped by a local nonprofit who is also a Catawba County United Way community partner?

We’d like to hear your story.

These will be shared in our weekly newsletter and through our various social media channels.

The stories may also be compiled for press releases shared with local media outlets.

Exodus Homes, a faith-based Catawba County United Way agency, recently announced the official roll out of their new Shuttle Service that is operated within their vocational training program Exodus Works.

A year ago, the Hickory Metro Convention Center began hiring Exodus Works to shuttle convention center participants to and from remote parking lots during events. At first, Exodus had to use its own vans but soon began renting Ford 350 XLT Transit Passenger vans so that the regular Exodus vans would not have to be pulled off of their normal routes. Finding these vans to rent can be difficult as they are very popular, and sometimes last-minute requests left them scrambling and going as far as Charlotte or Statesville to find an available rental.

Two local foundations awarded grants to Exodus Works to purchase a second van to eliminate the complications of renting. The George Foundation gave $20,000 and the TSH Foundation gave $10,000 to buy a second van and $10,000 to advertise the new service.

The Exodus Works shuttle service has so far mostly operated at the Hickory Metro Convention Center, but they have provided shuttle services for large church events such as weddings and funerals, trips to the Charlotte or Asheville airports, field trips to Greensboro, and private parties. They are looking to expand the shuttle service to local businesses, churches, local airports, and anyone who needs a nice ride for a group of people. 

Last year, the Catawba County United Way launched a new initiative – Small Businesses Love Big. This is an opportunity for small companies in Catawba County (50 employees or less) to invest back into their communities by supporting local nonprofit programs. Through an additional CCUW grant cycle. For more information call 828-327-6851.

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.

NC 211 is the United Way of North Carolina's health and human services information line.

For help - Call NC 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or (888) 892 1162 or visit THIS LINK.

Open 24/7, 365 days a year.

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