Frequently Asked Questions

About Us
How to Help
How to Get Help

About Us

How do I get to the agency?
Our main location is 500-A Spratt Street, Charlotte, NC 28206. Our Furniture and Appliance Store is located at 803 Pressley Road, Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28217. Click here for door-to-door directions.

What area is served by the agency?
Mecklenburg County.

What are your business hours?
Our Emergency Financial Assistance Program is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Walk-in appointments can be made from 8 am to 4:30 pm, based on availability.

Our Free Store is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. Our Furniture and Appliance Store is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to noon, and 1 pm to 4 pm.

Are you a faith-based organization?
While Crisis Assistance Ministry was founded by the faith community and maintains strong ties to its faith partners, the agency remains a private entity and is not a faith-based organization.

Who is typically served by the agency?
Based on emergency financial assistance data, 78% of the people we serve are African American, while 10% are Caucasian and 10% are Hispanic. Approximately 65% are female heads of households. Most of the people we serve are between the ages of 31 and 55, and 49% are employed, primarily in low-wage jobs and/or more than one job. Their average gross monthly income is $1,237.

How many people are living in poverty in our community? 
More than 10% of Mecklenburg County's population lives in poverty. Click here to view poverty statistics.

What are your funding sources?
We receive funding from individuals, congregations, foundations, corporations, civic groups and public sources. Click here to view our annual report, including a copy of our agency budget.

How to Help

How can I make a financial donation?
Contributions can be made in the following ways:
•Checks: Make your check out to Crisis Assistance Ministry and mail to:
500-A Spratt Street
Charlotte, NC 28206
•Credit Cards
•Automatic Bank Draft
(We also accept matching gift programs, gifts of stock, bequests and insurance. Click here for more information.)
•Cash

How can I make a material donation?
If you have clothing and/or household items to donate, you may drop them off at our 500-A Spratt Street location. There is a drive-thru drop-off area where we will be happy to assist you. Please click here for hours of operation and directions.

If you have furniture and/or major appliances to donate, please contact us. Limited pick-up service is available for larger items. The warehouse is located at 803 Pressley Road, Suite 102. Please click here for contact information, hours of operation and directions.

What types of items do you need the most in your stores?
There is high demand for:
-Major appliances (refrigerators, stoves and washer/dryers)
-Kitchen/dining room tables and dinette sets, and chairs
-Mattresses and beds
-Dressers and chests of drawers
-Sofas and loveseats
-Household items (kitchenware, linens, towels and blankets)
-Men's and women's large-size clothing

How can I volunteer?
Click here to view the many fun, rewarding volunteer opportunities at the agency, or contact us at volunteer@crisisassistance.org.

Can someone from Crisis Assistance Ministry speak to my group?
We would love to send a representative to speak about the work done at the agency and issues of poverty in our community. Please contact us at speaker@crisisassistance.org for more details.

How to Get Help

How do I qualify for emergency financial assistance?
If you are facing an eviction or utility disconnection, Crisis Assistance Ministry may be able to help.

For help with rent, you must be at least five days late and have received written notification from your landlord. For help with utilities, you must have received a utility disconnection notice and be within 10 days of disconnection.

Not sure if you qualify? Call us at 704-371-3001 with questions.

What do I need to bring with me to apply for emergency financial assistance?
•Social security documentation (card, document from the Social Security Administration, W2 form, pay stub) for all in household; non-citizens do not need a social security card to be served.
•Picture ID for all adults in household
•Proof of any and all household income for the past 30 days
•All disconnection, past due, or late notices
•Unemployment information, if applicable

Is there a limit to the amount of assistance you can provide someone?
We place no limit on the number of visits for emergency financial assistance, though there is a dollar amount. Each visit is carefully evaluated to determine our ability to assist. Shoppers may visit the Free Store every other month (homeless people can visit monthly), and may receive items from the Furniture and Appliance Store once a year.

How do I qualify to receive items at the Free Store?
The Free Store is open to all those who indicate they have a need. Shoppers may return every other month. Homeless persons may visit the store once per month. You must bring photo identification for the head of household and one form of ID for all other individuals being served (social security cards, birth certificates, school records, immunization records or passports).

How do I qualify to receive items from the Furniture and Appliance Store?
In order to benefit from the free items available at the Furniture and Appliance Store, you must be referred by a Crisis Assistance Ministry caseworker, congregation or social service agency in the community. The store must receive a Furniture Referral Form from the referring source before you can shop for furniture. You must also provide your own means of pick-up.