August was a month of incredible generosity and community spirit as so many amazing groups volunteered their time here at Crisis Assistance Ministry. First, Elevation Church went all out during their annual LOVE WEEK, pouring countless hours into stabilizing housing for Charlotte-Mecklenburg families. As the month continued, our friends at Bank of America added their energy and enthusiasm to the mix, pitching in to inspect and prepare donations for Free Store shoppers. Meanwhile, Mecklenburg Community Church, CROSS, and Red Ventures helped in both the free store and production areas. Finally, our longtime friends from St. John’s Episcopal Church never fail to impress us with their dedication.
Uniforms for a Brighter Future: August’s Volunteer Efforts
This community has truly shown its heart of gold these final weeks of summer. Generous community members contributed hundreds of uniforms and school-age apparel to help families struggling to meet back-to-school needs. Volunteers worked tirelessly stocking polos and khakis galore so Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools students could start the year “dressed to learn.”
Red Ventures went above and beyond providing 100 backpacks and a mountain of school supplies for families who shop, free of charge, in the Free Store. Next, they stuffed each one to the brim with school essentials. They even topped things off with additional supplies donated by Elevation Church. And that’s not all! Elevation Church also donated 30 laundry bags that were quickly filled with laundry supplies from Second Harvest Food Bank. This thoughtful gesture provided a much-needed lifeline for 30 families in our community.
Building Bridges: Collaboration Serves More
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg community is fortunate to have a strong network of nonprofit organizations meeting the needs of residents. Together, we can achieve so much more. When Red Ventures mobilized an impressive group of 70 volunteers to serve on the same day, 45 pitched in here at Crisis Assistance Ministry while the remainder joined our friends at Second Harvest Food Bank. Collaborations like these help the entire community meet the needs of our neighbors more effectively.
That same community spirit was evident as CROSS Missions brought a powerhouse of youthful energy from across the East Coast this summer! Groups from North and South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Washington D.C., Georgia, and even Pennsylvania came to Charlotte to learn about community needs and how a safety net of nonprofit groups works together to meet those needs.
Over 20 different visits, these young people and their adult mentors donated an incredible 607 hours of their time. What a great way to celebrate CROSS Missions throughout their 25 years of service!
Leading the Way to a More Charitable World
International Day of Charity is the perfect time to highlight the incredible power of giving back and the positive impact volunteers make on our community. By fostering peace and cooperation among all nations and peoples, we can create a brighter future for everyone. The collaborative spirit among organizations in Mecklenburg County is essential to stabilizing families throughout this community. As we transition into September, let’s keep this momentum going and continue to show up for our neighbors. \
“Together, we fight inequality to end poverty and injustice.” –Oxfam
Get Involved
Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals and groups year-round. Families, work groups, youth groups, civic organizations, and groups of all kinds enjoy the chance to make a difference while spending time together. To find out more about upcoming opportunities, visit our volunteer portal.