Oct. 16, 2020
"To increase the organized capacity of people to help others."
News & Resources
Giving From the Heart Volunteer Awards Nov. 18
Watch the Giving From the Heart Awards virtual event on Nov. 18 and help the Catawba County United Way celebrate and say thank you to local volunteers who help make the world a brighter place for those in need.
2018 Individual Adult GFH winner Paul Loftin (Meals on Wheels Volunteer) said it best...
"You can't have a bad moment when you volunteer.
Because volunteering is giving, giving is getting and everybody comes out happier."


This week's Fair Share Car Giveaway Finalist
Congratulations to this week's Catawba County United Way's Fair Share Car Giveaway Finalist - John Rollins from CertainTeed.
Previous week's finalists:
1-Tyler Garrison - Catawba County HR
2-Tom McNeely - Family Guidance Center
3-Soraya Place - Catawba County Library
4-Windy Kathal - Shurtape Technologies
Along with giving away a new car, the event helps raise awareness about the impact the United Way has in Catawba County through local programs that address needs in the areas of education, income and health.
To learn how your company can host a United Way Campaign and to be eligible to participate in the Fair Share Car Giveaway visit ccunitedway.com/campaign or call 828-327-6851.
Remember...it's never too late to become a community hero. Give. Advocate. Volunteer.
The Catawba County United Way – Always Ready to Help
NC State Government Updates
Rent/Utilities Help - Governor Roy Cooper recently announced that applications are now being accepted for the N.C. Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) Program, which will assist eligible low- and- moderate-income renters experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. The new program seeks to promote housing stability during the ongoing pandemic by providing rent and utility assistance to prevent evictions and utility disconnections.
Renters who need rent or utility assistance can apply online at nc211.org/hope. Applicants who cannot access the online application can also call 2-1-1 and speak with a program representative, who will assist the caller through the application on the phone. Callers can reach 2-1-1 Monday-Friday between 7 am and 6 pm.

More details at This Link

More help for those who need it the most
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has partnered with United Providers of Health (UPOH) to address unmet health care needs of historically marginalized communities. A new $7 million statewide effort will support NCDHHS’ COVID-19 response by providing preventative health care services, connections to mental health supports and help securing non-medical drivers of health like food and housing. Details at This LINK.
United Way Spirit of Giving Company Awards
Catawba County United Way recently celebrated the power of giving by recognizing the top company campaigns of 2019.
Follow the Facebook links below for more details and to see the winners.











To learn more about being part of the 2020 United Way campaign visit https://www.ccunitedway.com/campaign
Last year, United Way donors helped impact the lives of nearly 40,000 individuals in Catawba County.
Hunger and Homelessness Week in November
Learn what it means to be Hungry and Homeless in Catawba County, and how local agencies help those in need. Housing Visions Continuum of Care is planning a special Virtual Discussion Series during Hunger and Homelessness Week in November.

Nov. 16 - Affordable Housing - What does it cost?
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Nov. 18 - Landscape of Employment
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 20 - Faces of Homelessness 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Nov. 15 - the week will kick off with the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry’s Harvest of Hope Walk.

Look for more details at https://www.facebook.com/CatawbaCoHousingVisions/.

Do you have questions you'd like speakers at any of these events to answer?
Send them to jbailey@ccunitedway.com and they will be addressed in the appropriate virtual session by the speakers.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
United to Help Others - Volunteer and Make a Difference
Now more than ever local non-profit agencies need volunteers to help them meet the needs of those in crisis.
If you have the time and desire, consider becoming a volunteer at a local non-profit and let others know someone cares.

Local Opportunities

Senior Nutrition Services
Meals on Wheels is starting a new route in the Catawba area is looking for volunteers to deliver to new clients.
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, call 828-695-5610, or visit mealsonwheelsofcatawbacounty.org

American Red Cross
The Catawba County United Way wanted to remind everyone the importance of volunteering your time and donating blood. Here are some upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drives.
Monday, Oct. 19 – St. Stephens Lutheran Church ELCA, 2259 12th Ave. Hickory, 2 – 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 19 – St. Johns Lutheran, 2126 St. Johns Church Rd. Conover, 2:30 – 7 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 19 – First United Methodist, 311 3rd Ave NE Hickory, 2:30 – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 20 – Shuford Elementary, 810 Hunsucker Drive NE Conover, 3 – 7:30 p.m.
Please volunteer your time and give if you can. Visit RedCrossBlood.org to register for these drives or to learn about other area opportunities to donate blood.
Visit RedCrossBlood.org to make an appointment.
 
Family Guidance Center
The FGC is looking for volunteers to help out The Purple Ribbon Thrift Store - cashiers and donation sorters. If interested, mail Melissa at mkerekes@fgcservices.com or call 828-322-1400 for more information.
 
Hickory Soup Kitchen
The Hickory Soup Kitchen has an immediate need of volunteers in various areas – helping prepare meals, stocking the food pantry to name a just a couple of ways you could help. If interested visit https://hickorysoupkitchen.org/ways-to-help for more information or call 828-327-4828.
 
Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry
For its Thrift Store, ECCCM needs donation sorters, stocking volunteers and  cashiers. Contact Christina Rodgers at 828-465-1702, ext. 123.
ECCCM’s Food Pantry needs: pantry door worker to greet the clients in the food line and grocery store driver. Contact Allen Sherrill at 828-465-1702, ext. 116.
 
Highways and Hedges
Highways and Hedges desperately needs help delivering furniture/appliances to folks in need. For more information call or text 828-781-8095.
 
Adult Life Programs
Washing and cleaning vans is always a need for us, as well as cleaning the outdoor areas of the agencies different facilities. For information call 828-326-9120.
 
Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry
31 Thrift and MORE Needs volunteers to sort, price, and stock donations and the nutrition center has needs every afternoon from 12-4:30 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Contact Andrea Beatty, Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator to make an appointment for an individual orientation at 828-323-7904 or Outreach@ccmhickory.org. 
 
The Salvation Army
Opportunities would include: Providing weekend meals for shelter (dinner), Pantry help (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) For information about volunteering, please call 828-322-8061.

Integrated Care of Hickory
Seeking skilled labor for housing programs, front desk and clerical work, reaching out to collect canned goods/non-perishables for housing program and outreach for svcs and prevention – training provided. Call 828-322-5915 or visit integratedcarehickory.com.

To Learn more about local volunteer opportunities visit the Catawba County Volunteer Center at THIS LINK.
Temporary Halt on Evictions, Doesn't Include Foreclosures
The CDC announced a new temporary “halt” to residential evictions to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The moratorium runs through Dec. 31, 2020.
The moratorium is for rental assistance only and does not cover foreclosures.

Tenants covered under the moratorium must provide a written “declaration under penalty of perjury” (affidavit) to the landlord, and/or owner of the residential property stating their inability to pay the rent.
There are a few things that are required of the person stated below;
·        The tenant has made best effort to pay or is seeking assistance to pay
·        Income level has to be $99K or less (individual) or $198K (filing jointly) for CY2020 or tenant was not required to file income in 2019,or if they received an Economic Impact Payment (stimulus check)
·        Unable to pay full rent or make a full payment due to loss of income, loss of work hours or wages, a layoff, or extraordinary out of pocket medical expenses
·        Trying to make timely payments as circumstances permit
·        Eviction would render household homeless or force to live in shared housing because there is no other housing options available.
NC Legal Aid is available to help and samples of affidavits will be available on the website. https://www.legalaidnc.org/ - More Information at This Link
More information - visit www.ecccm.org/cccb to select your appointment time or
call 828-465-1702 (ECCCM) or 828-322-2535 (Salvation Army).
Housing continues to be top request for help at 211
In the last seven days, NC 211 received 19 calls from Catawba County requesting help with housing/shelter. Ten for shelter information. Six for rent assistance and three for low-cost housing information.
When you’re facing a crisis, the worst thing is thinking you’re alone, but with 211 there is always someone ready to help.
Learn more at nc211.org or simply call 211.
For more than 75 years, the Catawba County United Way has been dedicated to increasing the capacity of people to help others. To learn more about the CCUW's mission contact us at 828-327-6851 or visit ccunitedway.com.

GIVE - ADVOCATE - VOLUNTEER