"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

For Catawba County United Way (CCUW) Executive Director Mark Bumgarner, Tuesday night was all about building a community.

Local non-profits, local businesses and public agencies were invited by the CCUW to meet with families impacted by the Jan. 9 tornado during a dinner hosted at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Claremont.

The CCUW recently became the lead agency helping to coordinate aid to those families in the Fox Hollow neighborhood.

This was a transition from the emergency relief provided by the American Red Cross.

"We want you to know us. We want you to connect to us,” Bumgarner said to the more than 20 households who were able to make it to the meeting.

“We have a lot of work in front of us, and I'm so thankful for our partners from the American Red Cross who picked up this burden and carried it further than they were really supposed to, and then recognized the families needed ongoing support and needed community involvement so we were honored they came to us.”

The United Way joins several other local groups who stepped up to help after the storm.

The Boxcar Grille in Claremont provided meals for those who stayed at the Red Cross shelter immediately after the storm. After the shelter closed, the restaurant’s owner April Bolick continued to find ways to help. She took time to visit several of the families in the Fox Hollow neighborhood and started collecting information about needs.

At the top of the list was getting roofs repaired to help get the families out of the elements and keep more rain from getting into the homes. 

Read more of this story at THIS LINK.

The Catawba County Youth Council is currently accepting Requests for Funding Proposals (RFPs) targeted to address the impact areas of health and education as they relate to the needs and wellbeing of children and youth in our community.

The applications opened today on the Catawba County United Way's website.

The RFP applications are due to the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) by midnight on March 1. 



Criteria to apply:

• Grants requests are $3,000 or less.
• Incorporated as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt entity or who have a 501-C3 legal status, within Catawba County.
• Comply with applicable legal, federal, state and local operating and reporting requirements (e.g. government approved accounting practices, annual audit, 990, nondiscrimination).
• Provide proof of their non-profit status (copy of 501-C3).

Learn more about the grant at THIS LINK

APPLY at THIS LINK.

Annually, the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) partners with local non-profit and public agencies to support programs that help those in need in the areas of health, income stability and youth education.



The CCUW's large RFP grant cycle starts in February. Important dates for local non-profits interested in applying are below.

Feb. 13 - RFP training (virtual) introducing web portal and application process - 8:30 a.m.

RSVP at - THIS LINK.

Feb. 19 - RFP application opens on CCUW portal



Learn more about all the CCUW grant cycles at THIS LINK.

UPDATE - To help families as they recover from the recent tornado in Fox Hollow community near Claremont, the Catawba County United Way is partnering with the Blue Ridge Piedmont Chapter of the American Red Cross as a drop-off location for donations.

New to the list:

• Battery powered lanterns

• Portable heating sources – propane/kerosene

• Portable power sources

Original 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.

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

Many people in our community do not have enough food. They rely on nonprofit organizations like The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory and High Country to help fill this gap. Please help restock The Salvation Army's pantry by donating canned or nonperishable food items at 750 3rd Ave. Place, SE in Hickory.

For more information call 828-322-8061.

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.

After calling for 2 needs, Alex was given help for a 3rd need that was discovered while talking to an NC 211 Community Resource Specialist.



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.

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

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