Volunteers and your donations aiding county residents

SHELTER UPDATE

www.UnionShelter.org l April 24 , 2020

Every week is Volunteer Week at the Community Shelter. As we say continuously, we couldn’t do it without you!

But last week was National Volunteer Week, so we want to publicly and LOUDLY say “you’re the best."

Last year, volunteers contributed 22,078.5 hours of service – or the equivalent of 10.5 full-time employees.

So you see, we truly couldn’t do it without you! Thank you so much for helping those experiencing hunger and homelessness in Union County.

Now through May 5, the Community Shelter of Union County is participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global effort of unity and giving.

As you know, our organization provides food, emergency shelter and rehousing to neighbors experiencing hunger and homelessness in our county. The need for those three services has grown dramatically during this crisis.

Join the movement now through May 5 and beyond! Please consider giving at www.UnionShelter.org/Donate or by check to 160 Meadow St., Monroe, NC 28110.

Watch for more information about #GivingTuesdayNow in our next newsletter.

Bags piled high at our mobile food pantry

The need for pantry food continues to rise as more residents are out of work and household pantries are emptying. Many families in Union County need help to have enough food to feed their family.

Our Friday drive-thru pantry has given expansive food supplies to 1,244 individuals who needed extra food in the last five weeks. That's in addition to the 5,534 prepared meals served in the same time period.

Recipients are getting enough food to last them between one and two weeks, including multiple meats, plus grocery bags of staples, produce, bread and desserts.

This pantry, new to the Community Shelter, started on March 15 to assist neighbors who had lost their jobs due to COVID-19.

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who man the distribution, giving a grocery cart full of food to each family. And thank you to everyone who donated food.

Want to donate food or service supplies? Bring to the “donations” door between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., avoiding mealtimes of 8 - 9 a.m., noon to 1 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m.

New collaboration gives

hot meal to unsheltered

in Union County

A great new collaboration!

Rice N Beans , a non-profit ministry providing weekly hot meals, clothing and basic supplies for those in need, is bringing its mobile food center to the Community Shelter once a week to provide a hot meal to our unsheltered neighbors needing food.

Daryl Sutherland has pledged to bring the rice, beans and hotdog dinner to Monroe in any weather so that these often forgotten citizens can enjoy a hot meal.

Mary Garceau of Davids Backpacks for the Homeless was instrumental in encouraging residents of tent camps to come enjoy the meal.

We love collaboration!

Some of our fabulous volunteers and donations

We are grateful for the volunteer time and for these donations.Truly, we couldn’t do it without everyone’s support! Above, from left, Dr. George Pinsak and CEO Kathy Bragg; Elevation Church members prepare dinner. Below, from left, Matthew and Stephanie Belk family prepares lunch; volunteers work our mobile food pantry.

Want to help?

Want to provide a meal? Call Tara Bryant at 704-261-3491. If you’d like to donate a meal, but cannot cook it, we encourage ordering a meal from a local restaurant for delivery. A win-win situation!

Need food assistance? Call Victoria Maye at 704-261-3496.

DONATE ONLINE HERE

Want to donate money? Your financial donation allows us to use the funds in the most-efficient way. Click DONATE or send a check to 160 Meadow St., Monroe, NC 28110.

Want to volunteer? Go to UnionShelter.org/Volunteers and signup online. No orientation or experience is necessary.

Please stay safe!

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