Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is gearing up for the holidays. Donations are needed for clients across the diocese, with basic necessities such as food, diapers, toiletries, and warm clothing at the top of the list. (Troy Hull | Catholic News Herald) CHARLOTTE — As the holiday season approaches, Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is taking stock of what clients need, and basic necessities such as food, diapers, toiletries and warm clothing are at the top of the list, agency directors say.
Charlotte Area
The Charlotte area has ongoing needs that especially come into focus at the holiday season, says Debra Lemmon, regional director for the agency’s Charlotte office.
The refugee resettlement program is seeing record growth and needs winter coats, jackets and hats for adults and children to give to new arrivals who might not have necessary winter apparel. Household items such as linens and small kitchen appliances are needed to help newcomers settle into their new homes this holiday.
Gift cards for Wal-Mart, Target, Amazon and other popular retailers are helpful both for the refugee program and Catholic Charities’ Direct Assistance programs in Charlotte. Canned goods for holiday meals are also needed for the Charlotte food pantry, which operates from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, and 1-3 p.m. Thursdays.
The Charlotte office works closely with local parishes and schools to coordinate donation efforts to support families and people in need over the holidays, Lemmon said.
To determine if Catholic Charities is participating in your parish or school’s giving or Angel Tree program, check your parish bulletin or school newsletter. Donors can reach out to the agency directly at 704-370-3262.
Asheville and Western North Carolina
Daily necessities such as diapers and canned goods are the biggest need in Western North Carolina, according to Jesse Boeckermann, director for the agency’s western regional office.
“With the high prices of housing and food through all the inflation we’ve experienced over the last three years, food is always a need,” Boeckermann said. “Diapers, toiletries and other necessities that most people take for granted are also in need because people can’t use SNAP benefits to pay for non-food items.”
He said the demand for food and diapers from families living in his area is up this year over last year, with about 40 families per week coming to the Asheville food pantry, open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Donations of food, diapers and toiletries can be dropped off Monday-Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. or by appointment to 50 Orange St. in Asheville. Call 828-255-0146 for more information or to schedule a drop-off time.
Winston-Salem and Triad Area
Financial donations to help with food, diapers and other supplies are also needed for Catholic Charities’ Winston-Salem office, located at 1612 East 14th St. The location also staffs a weekly food pantry from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays. To arrange a drop-off, call 828-255-0146.
Financial gifts
Another way to help that is always much appreciated – and useful to meet emergency needs that Catholic Charities’ food pantries cannot supply – is monetary donations, including through participation in the #iGiveCatholic campaign.
Donations stay local depending on the ZIP code designated online or on a donor’s check. To donate securely online, go to www.ccdoc.org/give. You can also mail donations to: Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, 1123 South Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 28203. For inquiries, contact Virginia Garramone, director of development, at 704-370-3349.
The impact of your support
Catholic Charities helped almost 15,000 people of all ages across the 46 counties in the diocese last year through more than a dozen services and programs to strengthen families, build communities and reduce poverty – including food pantries, mental health counseling and veterans services.
Find ways to help and donate to Catholic Charities at www.ccdoc.org/give.
— Christina Lee Knauss