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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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Four Ways to Help Families This Spring

As seasons change, many families discover the need to refresh their wardrobes: children have grown, last summer's shoes are worn out, and there's not a matching set of socks to be found. For low-wage earners, these needs can wreck a carefully balanced budget. Here are four ways you can help these neighbors meet their basic needs this season.

March 20, 2023

Despite this month’s back-and-forth temperatures, Spring officially arrived this week.

As seasons change, many families discover the need to refresh their wardrobes: children have grown, last summer’s shoes are worn out, and there’s not a matching set of socks to be found. For low-wage earners, these needs can wreck a carefully balanced budget.

Here in Mecklenburg County, our neighbors can turn to Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Free Store to help meet basic needs like clothes, shoes, and household goods. Shoppers make an appointment to visit the store where they shop for essentials that are donated by individuals, groups, and businesses in the community. Most importantly, there is no cash register and nowhere to swipe a debit card. Instead, volunteers or senior aides help families count and bag their items before they head out the door. Everything in the Free Store is just that: free of charge.

You Can Help

You and your neighbors make that possible. It’s easy to help other neighbors meet these basic needs in any season:

Check Your Closets

The simplest way to help out is to check your closets (and garages . . . storage units . . . attics) for good quality clothing and household goods that aren’t serving your family anymore.

That dress you bought last summer that never quite fit? We can find a new home for it. The shoes that your son outgrew after only one or two wearings? Those too.

We accept new and gently used clothing for men, women, and children, as well as household goods such as blankets, linens, kitchenware, and personal care products at our donation drive-thru at 500-A Spratt Street in Charlotte. You’ll find a list of our most needed items along with items that can’t be accepted on our Donate Clothing & Household Goods page. There are no laundry facilities or mending capabilities in our warehouse, so please be mindful that all items are clean and in usable condition.

Point. Click. Ship.

If you’re already online, you can also visit our Wish List to purchase much-needed items like new underwear and school uniforms shipped directly to Crisis Assistance Ministry for distribution to Mecklenburg families.

Image of Amazon Wish List

Volunteer

Hundreds of volunteers are needed each month to help inspect and prepare donated goods for the store, keep the store stocked, and receive donations at the drive-thru. Their gift of time makes it possible for the Free Store to remain just that: Free.

Volunteer opportunities are typically available Tuesday through Saturday, except during holidays and other planned closures. There’s room for groups, families, and individuals to help out and our volunteer coordinators do their best to make your time fun as well as productive.

Check out these and other volunteer opportunities on our volunteer portal and mark your calendar for a day to give back to your neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet this season.

Make a Financial Gift

Of course, financial support is always welcomed. Your generosity will provide emergency rent and utility assistance, empower neighbors with financial coaching, and engage the community to learn about the realities of poverty in Mecklenburg County.

You can find a few more ways to support Crisis Assistance Ministry’s mission to  provide assistance  and advocacy for people in financial crisis, helping them move toward self-sufficiency on our Ways to Give page. Working together, we can prevent homelessness and preserve dignity for our low-income neighbors.

Filed Under: Agency News, Volunteer Stories Tagged With: #PreserveDignity, #PreventHomelessness, Financial Assistance, Free Store, Volunteers

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Preventing homelessness.
Preserving dignity.
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Contact Us

  • (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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