Feb. 3, 2023
"To increase the organized capacity of people to help others."
News & Resources
United Way staff see reality of housing crisis at homeless count
By John Bailey
jbailey@ccunitedway.com

After conversations with more than a dozen individuals on Jan. 26, it was the phrase, “I can’t do this anymore,” that stuck with Catawba County United Way’s Director of Operations Kelle Love.
This was her first time helping with the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count, and it was eye opening despite a previous 30-year tenure with the Department of Social Services.
She along with other members of the CCUW staff surveyed individuals at Strong Life Ministries in Conover.
Organized by the Housing Visions Continuum of Care of Catawba County, the event is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. Information from the count is used to identify unmet needs so strategic outreach can be planned. The Department of Housing and Urban Development requires all Continuum of Cares to complete the PIT each year. Counts were also held at The Hickory Soup Kitchen and The Corner Table Soup Kitchen in Newton.
The annual PIT counts consistently highlight the need for more affordable housing throughout the state. 
In the last 365 days in North Carolina, NC 211 (the United Way’s community resources information line) received 42,628 calls for information about shelters; 24,937 calls about low-cost housing and 31,127 calls about rent assistance.
Love talked to one woman who said she was brand new to being homeless, barely two years.
The recent weather has made it impossible for her to stay dry and warm in her tent.
Love expected some of what she heard because of processing disability applications during her time with DSS, but it was the volume of mental health issues along with the lack of housing that surprised her during the PIT count.
“For me, I don’t look through rose-colored glasses but at the same time I’m not out there. When I’m hearing people talk about just needing to have a shower, I can’t imagine not have access to something I take for granted,” Love said.
“And while the rest of us get to crawl into a warm bed at night, I can’t imagine everything I had being soaked and not be able to snuggle up and get warm.”
Learn more about the count and data from previous years at - https://www.ncceh.org/hmis/pithic/.
For information about local housing and other community resources visit https://nc211.org/ or dial 2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162.
Morgan Law, PLLC joins Small Businesses Love Big
Morgan Law, PLLC in Hickory recently joined the Catawba County United Way's 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 non-profit programs.
"When we started this outreach late 2022, we were not sure how, or even if, it would be received and now we are gearing up for our first Small Businesses Love Big grant cycle within 6 months of launching,” CCUW Executive Director Mark Bumgarner said.
Each participating company contributes $365 a year, which will be used to fund a second Catawba County United Way allocation process focused on local small and start-up non-profits. 
Representatives of the businesses will meet to review the grant applications and decide what programs to fund.
For more information about Small Businesses Love Big call the United Way at 828-327-6851 or visit THIS LINK.
FEMA grant cycle opens in Catawba County
Catawba County has been awarded federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. The deadline for applications is Feb. 28. 
Catawba County has been chosen to receive $57,592 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county for Phase 40.
The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Jewish Federation of North America; The Salvation Army; and United Way Worldwide. 
The Local Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.
A local board made up of representatives from Catawba County United Way, Catawba Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, The Hickory Ministerial Association, The Salvation Army, a homeless or formerly homeless representative, and a representative of county government, will determine how the funds awarded to Catawba County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. 
The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.
Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice non-discrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.
Catawba County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry, Exodus Homes, Family Care Center, Family Guidance Center, Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, Hickory Soup Kitchen, Morningstar First Baptist Church, Neighbors Network, The Corner Table, and The Salvation Army participating. 
These agencies were responsible for providing utility and rent/mortgage assistance, meals and lodging for Catawba County citizens in need throughout the past year.
Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds can access the APPLICATION at THIS LINK.
Application now available at - THIS LINK.
What's happening - news and updates from local non-profits
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.
Catawba County Council on Aging

Free AARP Tax-Aide at West Hickory Senior Center and Newton Library, any age or income. Number to call for appointments at either location is 828-358-4669. Appointments are filling fast!
How can NC 211 help you?
NC 211 is the health and human services information line provided by United Way of North Carolina. Catawba County United Way is one of several community partners who help fund this program.

Need help? Dial 2-1-1 or visit nc211.org.
Since 1944, 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.

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