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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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Covenant Impacts Charlotte

An intergenerational group of volunteers spent a Saturday morning getting things ready for Free Store shoppers who will shop free-of-charge in the coming weeks. Although a surprising chill – even for November - settled over Charlotte Saturday, the cheerful folks from Covenant Presbyterian Church ...

November 23, 2022

An intergenerational group of volunteers spent a Saturday morning getting things ready for Free Store shoppers who will shop free-of-charge in the coming weeks.

Citywide Volunteer Effort

Although a surprising chill – even for November – settled over Charlotte Saturday, the cheerful folks from Covenant Presbyterian Church carried on without seeming to notice.

They were volunteering as part of Covenant Impacts Charlotte, the church’s annual time of service to the Queen City. For 2022, it spanned 10 days. Each day, staff members and small groups of all ages from Covenant Presbyterian participated in outreach ventures in Charlotte.

Some of those days of giving back included a youth-led furniture build for Crisis Assistance Ministry, followed a week later by a churchwide build assembling much-needed dressers for families overcoming homelessness or other financial crisis. Youth also made no-sew blankets for Free Store shoppers. Finally, there was a full morning of work in the Free Store and in the Free Store production area. All of these are important, meaningful tasks that are vital to families served here at Crisis Assistance Ministry.

Parents and Teens Connect As Volunteers

For several, this time of service had a double dose of meaning. Of course, they want to be a part of the impact Covenant Presbyterian Church has on Charlotte. But equally meaningful is the time together that parents had with their teenagers who volunteered.

“It’s a fun bonding experience,” says Hailey, who was with her mom, Heather. “And it’s fun to do things that make you feel good, for the community, and to do it with someone close to you.”

Heather (left) and daughter Hailey help stock the Free Store with clothing and other donated items for families who shop free-of-charge.

Heather says the family has been members of Covenant Presbyterian Church since Hailey was a baby.  They have participated in Covenant Impacts Charlotte many times, although this was their first time working together at Crisis Assistance Ministry. She says now it’s easier for Hailey to be involved in more adult projects, so volunteering together at the agency was a joy.

For Will and his mom, Beth, this was also a first.

“It’s our first time volunteering together,” Beth said, adding that she doesn’t feel she has done quite as much volunteering as her son. “Will’s been volunteering on his own.” (She’s super proud of him.)

“It’s fun and nice to be able to do something with my mom,” said Will, who isn’t a newcomer to volunteering. He has worked with Loaves and Fishes, packing lunches for them.

Volunteering, Will says, makes you feel good to know that you’re helping others in the community.

Beth stocks the Free Store.
Beth (right) and her son Will (left) enjoyed volunteering together.

“And it’s nice to do something together,” says mom Beth. “When you get teenagers, you don’t get to do that much with them anymore. Once they get driving, then they’re gone, and they’re out …”

“I want to say I was setting an example for him,” Beth said. “But I think he was probably setting the example for me.”

Three Ways to Volunteer As A Family

Crisis Assistance Ministry offers several opportunities for parents and children to volunteer together—onsite and off—year-round.

  • Children as young as 11 can volunteer with a parent to help inspect and prepare donated items for Free Store shoppers, and teens age 16+ can volunteer on their own.
  • Families or other groups can plan a snack ministry by purchasing and assembling snack packs offsite and dropping them off to be shared with families visiting for financial assistance or the Free Store.
  • Groups of all ages can plan a collection drive for items needed by families who visit the Free Store for essentials.  Right now, cold-weather items like coats, hats, socks, and gloves are in high demand.

Check out all the ways volunteers help prevent homelessness and preserve dignity for our neighbors experiencing a financial crisis on our Volunteer Portal anytime.

Filed Under: Agency News, Volunteer Stories Tagged With: Covenant Impacts Charlotte, Covenant Presbyterian, Free Store, Furniture Build, Teen Volunteers, Volunteers

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Preventing homelessness.
Preserving dignity.
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  • (704) 371-3001
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  • Main Office:
    500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
  • Tax ID
    EIN 56-1416719

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Recent Photos

crisisassistmin

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As we take time out this Memorial Day weekend to remember those who sacrificed on our behalf, Crisis Assistance Ministry will be closed to all customers, staff, donors, and volunteers on Monday, May 29, 2023. Typical business hours will resume on Tuesday, May 30.

crisisassistmin

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This family of five signed up to provide snacks for families who seek assistance here because "everyone could contribute." 17 year old Lydia wrote messages, 13 year old Spencer washed apples, Mom packed crackers, Dad packed cookies, and 6-month-old Isaiah cheered everyone on.
With summer ahead, there will be even more need for snack packs to share with the families served here. You can find this and other volunteer opportunities on our website.

#volunteers

crisisassistmin

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Should North Carolina Implement Child Tax Credits?
Expanded federal child tax credits were a lifeline for many families during the pandemic. But those expansions have expired and aren't likely to be renewed at the federal level. North Carolina could implement its own credit to help families struggling to make ends meet. 
You can learn more about the benefits and decide what you think at the link in bio. #NCChildTaxCredit #FightPoverty #PreserveDignity

crisisassistmin

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Thank you for a fabulous National Volunteer Week! You inspire us every day with your commitment to help all of our neighbors achieve financial stability.

crisisassistmin

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As expanded Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits end, hunger-fighting groups expect a surge in demand at food banks and warn that SNAP recipients may fall back into poverty. Some studies estimated that the Emergency Allotments during the pandemic reduced child poverty by 14% in 2021. This week we ask who will suffer now that these benefits have expired in North Carolina and all remaining states? (Read more through link in bio)

crisisassistmin

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Meet Ed Holland, a grandfather who gives back consistently and finds hope in helping others who are experiencing a financial crisis. In less than two minutes, hear his hopeful outlook, what fuels his community involvement, and his invitation to join the Challenge going on right now to help more families who visit Crisis Assistance Ministry for help. #DoGoodCLT #DoubleYourImpact

crisisassistmin

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Yesterday was a great day to celebrate #volunteers with so many great groups "in the house!" First up:  two sets of high schoolers from opposite sides of the Atlantic. 
📷 1 & 2:  Teens from West Charlotte HS who serve consistently, always getting stuff done in our warehouse.
📷 3:  High school students from all the way in France via Charlotte Latin School who also spent time preparing donated goods for Free Store shoppers.
We ♥️ our teen volunteers who bring so much energy to their visits here.

crisisassistmin

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Shout out to every neighbor who showed up and shared their time to help other neighbors get through a financial crisis and rebuild stability.
#volunteers #thankyou #DoGoodCLT #fightpoverty #NationalVolunteerWeek

crisisassistmin

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Crisis Assistance Ministry is excited to announce that local Charlotte leaders are coming together to help YOU double your impact this Spring.  Thanks to the generosity of Howard and Julie Levine - Howard R. Levine Foundation; Anna & Ed McMahan; and Kasey & Stuart Proffitt every contribution (up to $500K) will be matched now through May 31.
Will YOU rise to the challenge with a gift to help provide more individuals and families meet their basic needs, develop the tools to overcome financial adversity, and chart a path beyond the crisis toward financial security?

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