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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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When Need Is Great, Numbers Are Subjective

Walter and his furniture-construction partner, Nick, have lost count. They’ve been deep into Ikea instructions, constructing drawers, adding liner paper, and hauling dressers to sit with the others that volunteers from True Homes have made. Was it five dressers they constructed? Six? They can’t recall. But 22 newly constructed dressers and 24 tables were added to Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Furniture & Appliance inventory.

December 13, 2022

Walter and his furniture-construction partner, Nick, have lost count. They’ve been deep into Ikea instructions, constructing drawers, adding liner paper, and hauling dressers to sit with the others that volunteers from True Homes have made.

Was it five dressers they constructed? Six? They can’t recall. But 22 newly constructed dressers and 24 tables were added to Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Furniture & Appliance inventory.

46 pieces of furniture, 3,000 hygiene kits, and so many no-sew blankets. The blankets and hygiene kits will be added to the Free Store, where customers shop for essentials free of charge. The furniture will find a new home with Partner Agency-referred customers who may be transitioning into a new place to live after experiencing a time of homelessness or other financial hardship. It, too, is provided free of charge.

It sounds like a lot, although “a lot” is subjective, particularly when need is great. The super-soft blankets are favorites with children. They quickly get scooped from the Free Store. Hygiene kits are in vast demand with customers of all ages. Need across the board has been higher this year.  

The newly constructed furniture that Walter (left), Nick, and other volunteers make will find new homes with Partner Agency-referred customers who may be transitioning into a new permanent housing after experiencing a time of homelessness or other financial hardship.

The needs of the community and the importance of volunteering are high on True Homes’ list of values, Nick says. “It’s built into the culture, the DNA,” he says. And while True Homes encourages all to volunteer as they can, he says there’s something different about volunteering alone versus volunteering with your colleagues.

“The folks here probably went into work early,” Nick says, “and when we leave here, they’ll work some this afternoon and evening, to make sure the business side is taken care of. But it’s important to them to be a part of the community.”

It makes you feel good to volunteer, he adds, but it also helps you understand the importance of a few hours of time.

“You’re helping somebody who’s having probably the worst crisis of their lives, at no fault of their own,” Nick says.

One paycheck from disaster

Throughout Charlotte-Mecklenburg, and the entire country, most people live one paycheck from financial disaster.

According to CNBC and a September 2022 collaborative report between Pymnts and LendingClub, “63% of Americans were living paycheck to paycheck.” This is close to the historic high of 64% in March. A year ago, LendingClub reports, “the number of adults who felt strained was closer to 57%.”

Weak wage growth, says Anuj Nayar, financial health officer for LendingClub, has hurt the average American consumer so much that having a job simply isn’t enough.

“Wage growth has been inadequate, leaving more consumers than ever with little to nothing left over after managing monthly expenses,” Nayar said in the CNBC story.

Weak wage growth, says Anuj Nayar, financial health officer for LendingClub, has hurt the average American consumer so much that having a job simply isn’t enough.

Fifty-nine percent of consumers who are living paycheck-to-paycheck and having issues with their monthly bills said they have seen “significant rises” in the cost of utilities over a 12-month period. Almost half ­– 48% – of consumers who are struggling to pay their bills also must pay for health insurance. Inflation has pushed the average grocery bill up 11%. The average retail cost of gasoline is $3.504, according to numbers from the YCharts investment and analytics blog. While this is lower than the June high of $5.107, it still is 0.75% higher than a year ago, YCharts shows.

Volunteers’ assistance behind the scenes means the Crisis Assistance Ministry staff can focus more of their time on serving customers directly.

Blankets go quickly

Volunteers like Hope and her dad, Jeff, often return. The two of them, along with one of Hope’s children, made 15 no-sew blankets just before Thanksgiving. The blankets have already been claimed, so today, Hope and Jeff have found a quiet corner to work on more.

Hope and her dad, Jeff, fold one of the six no-sew blankets that they made while volunteering with other True Homes employees.

They have a system. Jeff’s a retired cabinetmaker, and he uses his precision skills to cut the strips for the blankets. He does this with great patience. Hope ties them.

Most years, Hope says, she brings her kids with her to volunteer. But after Jeff came with them at Thanksgiving, he was happy to come again with the larger group.

“I like hanging out with my daughter,” he says.

Plus, Hope says: “It’s fun. Good times spent with good people. For a good cause.”

They’ve got a system, but Hope has a goal.

“We’re making 15 [blankets] again today,” she says, and she glances at her dad.

He laughs.

Visit our volunteer page
to find your perfect
opportunity to give back!

Filed Under: Volunteer Stories Tagged With: #PreserveDignity, Corporate Volunteers, Free Store, Furniture, True Homes, 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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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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