"Building relationships to support our community with

collaboration, compassion and purpose."

By John Bailey

Catawba County United Way

From car seats to weekend feeding programs to helping students with significant disabilities, this year’s Catawba County Youth Council chose to support a wide variety of local nonprofit programs through its annual Community Grant Cycle.

This process is in partnership with the Catawba County United Way who provides a total of $10,000 to be distributed among the chosen programs based off the Youth Council’s recommendations.

For 2024, the Youth Council voted to help fund five nonprofit programs: The Corner Table – Backpack Program, Carolina Caring Foundation – Brighter Days grief program, Conover School – serving students with significant disabilities, Fostering Hope Catawba Valley – free car seats for families in need and South Newton Elementary – translated guide to local resources for Hispanic families.

This was Youth Council vice president Makala Pittman’s fourth year being part of this process.

She didn’t realize the number and scope of the nonprofits in Catawba County.

“Over the years, I’ve been able to find my voice and have been able to advocate for what I care about, so this experience has allowed me to connect with my community more,” Pittman said.

The Catawba County United Way will be hosting its annual Race United free night of racing at the Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 14, and we’d like to invite local nonprofits to participate in the resource fair prior to the race.

This is a great opportunity to share information about your agency and the programs you offer to the community. Last year, nearly 3,000 people showed up for the race.

·        Non-profit Bingo: we will have cards visitors can take around the tables to get a check by each agency. If they visit all the agencies they can win a prize.

·        Food Drive: We’ll also be holding another food drive to benefit local pantries.

We have limited space, so let us know as soon as you can if you’d like attend. Call John Bailey at the United Way 828-327-6851 or email jbailey@ccunitedway.com.

Current WIC participants:

Are you interested in receiving fresh fruits and vegetables through the WIC program? The Farmers Market Program (eFMNP) benefits are now available to eligible participants. Call the WIC office at 828-695-5884 to find out if you are eligible. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have recently had a baby, and children ages 2-4 may receive an eFMNP card to use at authorized farmers markets in NC.

Eligible clients can receive $30 in eFMNP benefits to use at authorized farmers’ markets only.

Participantes actuales de WIC:

¿Está interesado/a en recibir frutas y verduras frescas a través del programa de WIC? Los beneficios de nuestro Programa de Mercado de Agricultores (eFMNP) ahora están disponibles para los participantes elegibles. Llame a nuestra oficina de WIC al 828.695.5884 para averiguar si es elegible. Las mujeres que están embarazadas, amamantando o que han tenido un bebé recientemente y los niños de 2 a 4 años pueden recibir una tarjeta de eFMNP para usar en los mercados de agricultores autorizados en Carolina del Norte.

Los clientes elegibles pueden recibir $30 en beneficios de eFMNP para utilizarlos únicamente en mercados de agricultores autorizados.

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.

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.