Community Bulletin Board

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The Brian Center offers skilled nursing, rehabilitation, long term care as well as memory and dementia care services to residents of their facilities in Hickory, Viewmont, Lincolnton, and Gastonia. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, residents are unable to have visitors at this time. Consider doing something special for the residents such as sending cards, snacks, flowers or plants, or crafts to brighten someone’s day. Don’t forget about the staff members who are working diligently to keep their residents safe. Consider offering to take them a meal or other goodies to say thanks to these healthcare heroes. Call one of the Centers to see what you can do to make a difference. Contact information is located on their website below. 

The Hickory Soup Kitchen has gone from preparing 170 meals a day to between 300-350. Volunteers are working tirelessly to prepare take-out lunches which are being distributed Mon-Fri, 11 am-1 pm from the rear entrance. The Food Pantry remains open during the same hours but is closed on Wednesdays. They need donations of fresh meat (chicken, ground beef, hot dogs, etc.), individually wrapped desserts (store bought or homemade), canned and non-perishable items (bulk is best but any size is appreciated)! Donations can be dropped off during serving hours or call to have a volunteer meet you outside. Financial donations can be made at the below website. Volunteers – especially younger ones – are needed to help distribute take-out meals and bag groceries during serving hours. Contact Georgene Freeman at hgfree60@gmail.com if you can serve.

CCM is currently in need of canned goods (pop-top cans are preferred) to stock their food pantry. In particular, canned proteins are needed such as tuna, Spam, beef stew, and other canned meats. The pantry is open Monday-Thursday, 8 am to 4:30 pm and donations can be dropped off during those hours. Donations can be left on the loading dock or donors can call CCM at 327-0979 to have a volunteer retrieve them from their car. Monetary donations are always needed and can be made at the website below.

 Catawba County Partnership for Children supports numerous child care facilities throughout our community that are working hard to stay open, allowing working parents to continue to support their families during this difficult time. Many of the child care facilities have requested donations of Lysol, Clorox wipes, hand soap, and sanitizer (60% alcohol). They also need thermometers (no glass, mercury, or oral-only). One center is in need of milk for their children. Donations can be dropped off at HTLC’s office entrance in the box located outside. The office is currently open Monday-Thursday, 9 am–12 pm. Be sure to call to let the office know you have added to the box and label your donation for CC Partnership for Children. The organization is accepting financial contributions to support the children of our community; donations can be made online at their website below. 

  The staff of the Corner Table meet weekly to assess their current needs and posts them on their website - COVID-19 Response Plan. Current needs include to-go plates, styrofoam & paper bowls, 2 oz portion cups, 4 oz cups, 16 oz cup lids, toilet paper, grocery bags, 33-gallon trash bags, and pasta (egg noodles, pasta shells, penne, and rotini). Their office hours and drop-off times for donations are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-1 pm. Donors can bring items in the front door or call 828-464-0355 to have a volunteer come out to their car and retrieve donations. They are in crucial need of monetary donations to support both the soup kitchen and backpack program; donations can be made at their website below

The COVID-19 outbreak has created a critical need for blood and platelets, especially with so many donation sites closing. HTLC has a drive scheduled for Tuesday, July 21 from 2:30 to 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall. The Red Cross is taking extra precautions to help ensure the safety of all donors. Please consider giving the gift of life and schedule a donation appointment through the website below. If you would like to volunteer for the blood drive, email Georgene Freeman at hgfree60@gmail.com.

The Meals on Wheels program is in need of donations to fill goodie bags with personal hygiene products, individually wrapped snacks & game books (like Word Search). Bags are provided weekly for those in need. Donors should call before delivering donations so arrangement can be made to have someone meet you outside the facility. Some volunteer groups are making bags in bulk for the program; anyone who wants to coordinate such an effort should contact Heather Ball at 695-5610. Volunteers are always needed to deliver meals but at this time volunteer training has been ceased, however, those interested can still submit an application online and will be contacted if needed. Monetary donations are always best and can be easily made online. 

Exodus Homes is in need of non-perishable food items and disinfecting cleaning supplies (including paper towels and toilet paper) to keep their residents fed and safe. Donors can drop off their donations at the entrance of the Exodus New Life Thrift Store (610 4th St. SW – Hickory) or have their donations picked up outside their homes by calling Exodus Works at 828-324-2390. Monetary donations are very much appreciated and can be mailed to Exodus Homes, PO Box 3311 Hickory, NC 28603. Exodus Works is asking people to remember to hire their workers for outdoor landscaping, general labor, moving, and other services. The thrift store has recently re-opened to customers; items can also be viewed and purchased through Facebook Marketplace. Note: Their website is currently down for maintenance.

The Family Guidance Center office is currently closed but the shelter remains open for clients in crisis. Monetary donations are most needed and can be made on their website below or by texting Donation to 41444. They also have a  Shelter Wish List through Amazon Prime. The Center currently needs food pantry items of any kind, newer clothes (including undergarments) for women, as well as disinfecting cleaning supplies (such as wipes, bleach & rubber gloves) as well as thermometers - to support the woman and children in their shelter. Contact HTLC staff member, Terri Faherty at 828-851-6479 if you have items to donate. Thanks for your support of domestic violence victims.

  The Women’s Resource Center is in need of donations to help restock their Emergency Product Pantry which helps provide necessary products that are not covered by government assistant cards. Items needed include glass cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, dish detergent, and fabric softener. They also need grocery and gas gift cards for welcome baskets for families transitioning from homeless situations to stable housing. Donations can be dropped off at the Center and placed in the large box on their porch. Donors are encouraged to call 322-6333 to let staff members know they are dropping off a donation – especially if it is a gift card. Visit their website below to donate or view their Amazon Wish List.

The Salvation Army Shelter is now open 24-hours to serve as many homeless individuals & families as possible. In addition, they are providing two take-out meals daily. These efforts have increased the need for food and supplies exponentially. They are accepting food donations of all types through their Crisis Help Center, open Monday-Thursday, 10 am-3pm. Personal hygiene products and disinfecting cleaning supplies are also needed. Their Thrift Store remains open and is accepting donations as well. Monetary donations are always needed and can be made at their website, linked below.

The Family Care Center remains open to serve homeless families with dependent children through their emergency residential program. They are accepting donations during current office hours, 9am-12pm. They are in need of fresh fruits and vegetables, canned fruit, bread, toothpaste, deodorant, bleach, liquid laundry detergent, sanitizing wipes, paper towels, and toilet paper. Donations can be dropped off at the Center – located at 2875 Highland Ave. NE, Hickory - inside their glass enclosure entrance (to eliminate any additional traffic in the Center). To make a monetary donation, visit their website below.