Catawba County Public Health will continue to offer diagnostic COVID-19 drive-through testing through August. Testing is offered Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 am to 1 pm in the back parking lot at Catawba County Public Health, located at 3070 11th Avenue Drive SE in Hickory. Individuals who do not have access to testing, especially those who are uninsured or do not have a primary care physician, are eligible for testing. There is no cost to participants though individuals covered by insurance should bring their insurance card. Those who test negative will receive a letter from the Public Health Department; those who test positive will be notified by telephone. For more information, visit the website below or call the Catawba County Public Health COVID-19 nurse line at (828) 465-9595.
The staff and volunteers of the Humane Society of Catawba County continue to work tirelessly to care for and protect our four-legged friends. The shelter is currently in need of dry kitten food, dog and cat food (of all types), cat litter, as well as pet toys. Bleach, disinfecting wipes, paper towels, and tall kitchen trash bags are also needed. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter - located at 3224 20th Ave. SE in Hickory - either inside the front door or on the bench just outside. Charitable contributions forms are available upon request for tax purposes. Towels, washcloths, and bedding donations (except for pillows and bed skirts) are also being accepted but donors are asked to thoroughly launder items and deliver them in clean plastic bags. Financial donations help to pay for the medications and veterinary care animals may need and can easily be made at the website below. Be sure to check out the photos of the animals in need of loving, safe homes and consider adoption.
Due to COVID-19, clients of the Hickory Soup Kitchen are receiving meals and groceries outside of the facility. Consider donating an umbrella(s) to help keep these individuals dry when it rains. Donations can be dropped off at the church office. Staff and volunteers at the Kitchen continue to work tirelessly to prepare take-out meals which are being distributed Mon-Fri, 11 am-1 pm. The Food Pantry remains open during the same hours but is closed on Wednesdays. Needed donations include 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 are needed to help distribute meals and bag groceries. 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 (CCPC) supports numerous child care centers 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 centers have requested donations of disinfecting cleaners and wipes, hand soap, sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol), face masks, and latex gloves. They also need thermometers (though no glass, mercury, or oral-only). Donations can be dropped off at HTLC’s office in the box located inside just inside the entrance; the church office is currently open Monday-Thursday, 9 am–12 pm. CCPC is also accepting financial contributions to support the children and families 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 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-3 pm. 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 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.
People Offering Relief From Community Hunger (PORCH) is a Catawba County non-profit food assistance program. The organization supports families in need from the Hickory Public School System through monthly food drives. Participants leave food donations on their porches to be picked up by PORCH volunteers on the third Tuesday of each month. The donations are bagged and distributed to families through CCM and other assistance programs. To learn more about becoming a PORCH donor or volunteer, visit the below website. Financial donations are always welcome and are used to purchase pallets of food to help continue the program and meet the growing needs of the community.
Centro Latino is in need of items for their food pantry including rice, chicken, Vienna Sausages, beef stew, chili, ham, tuna, peanut butter, grape jelly, dressings, oatmeal, cereals, and snacks (cookies, crackers, chips, cereal bars, and Pop Tarts). They also need canned goods (tomatoes, Pinto Beans, mixed vegetables, soups, potatoes) and canned fruits (peaches, pineapples, pears, fruit cocktail, applesauce, mandarins, etc.). Donations can be dropped off Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 to 3 p.m., during their food pantry hours. Financial donations can also be made online at the website below.
Lutheran Christian Services (LCS) recognizes the heroes who are taking care of their clients in their many senior care communities including Trinity Village and Trinity Ridge in Hickory. CNAs, group home staff members, and other teammates are putting their own needs aside to provide care and support for residents. LCS invites anyone who would like to say thanks to consider providing a meal for the dedicated staff. Contact the community’s administrator to make arrangements.
Trinity Ridge: 828-322-6995
Trinity Village: 828-328-2006
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