URGENT NEEDS & INFORMATION

• Project Outpour: They need volunteers for their Shower Service Days and Hygiene Distribution Events!
  • These are the days/times/locations they need the most help:
    • Wednesdays - Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library | 2412 Beatties Ford Rd. | 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Thursdays - Memorial United Methodist Church | 4012 Central Ave. | 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Fridays - Hickory Grove Library | 5935 Hickory Grove Rd. | 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Click HERE to sign up for shifts. You may need to search for Project Outpour using the email address hello@projectoutpour.org. Volunteers will assist shower guests by gathering requested shower supplies, cleaning in between each guest, keeping the process organized, and visiting with shower guests. 
  • For any questions you may have, please feel free to email them HERE or call Laura at 704-275-5540. 

• HOPEmatch serves families who are overlooked within our community through various programs that intentionally meet physical and personal needs. They need volunteers for their upcoming Pop Up Shop in April.
  • Pop Up Shop Event - Providing Baskets of Personal Essentials Items for Local Families in Need
    • Event Prep: Friday April 26 | 10 AM - 5 PM
      • Friday volunteer opportunities include sorting donations and making baskets.
    • Day of Event: Saturday April 27 | 8:30 AM - 1 PM
      • Saturday volunteer opportunities include Prayer Team, Basket Loaders, and Greeters
        
  • Location: Next Level Church (4317 Stevens Mill Rd, Matthews, NC 28104)
  • If you would like to volunteer or have questions, please reach out to Erin Blackmore via email HERE or call 704-271-4636.

• Feeding Charlotte: They are looking for 200+ volunteers to feed 5,000 community members. Volunteers are needed for the food preparation on May 3rd from 3 - 5:30 PM at the below listed location to pack 5,000 bag lunches for distribution across distribution sites throughout Charlotte. Volunteers are also needed to help distribute the lunches on May 4th.
  • Friday May 3, 2024 Food Prep
    • Time: 3 - 5:30 PM 
    • Location: Central United Methodist Church 6030 Albemarle Rd Charlotte, NC 28212
    • Volunteers Needed: 200  
  • Saturday May 4, 2024 Lunch Distribution 
    • Time: Drivers and loaders from 9 - 11 AM
    • Pick Up Location: Central United Methodist Church 6030 Albemarle Rd Charlotte, NC 28212
    • Volunteers Needed: 15 drivers (Must Have Vehicle) and 10 loaders
  • Volunteer Ages: All ages (Kids welcome)
  • To volunteer, register HERE
    
    
• Ambassadors for Jesus Christ Ministry: They are looking for church space to use to host their events. Below are their stated needs and who to contact if you are willing to possibly share your space;
  • Requirements: Accommodate a minimum of 10 ppl, a classroom like setting with tables and chairs
  • Time of Need: Saturday mornings around 10am or Saturday afternoons around 12pm
  • If there is any interest, please reach out to Cloretha to discuss more details: HERE

• Hope for Afghans, A FORCLT Initiative: We have many church teams that have stepped up to get paired with an Afghan family in need of assisting in getting acclimated to Charlotte. These teams could use further support and more hands. If you or someone you know is interested in joining a team, please encourage them to complete the form linked below and we will get them connected to a team quickly.
  
  • Link to the individual interest form: HERE

LOCAL NONPROFIT JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• First United Methodist Church - Gastonia has an opening for a Director of Youth Ministries position. Click HERE for the Director of Youth Ministries job description. If you are interested, you can apply directly on their website HERE. 

HUNGER & FOOD

• Nourish Up (Formerly Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays): They have immediate needs that include delivering meals & groceries, packing food supply boxes in their warehouse & mobile pantry, and more. Find more information for all their volunteer needs and register at NOURISH UP.  
  • Food Drives & Food Donations: With growing community needs, monetary and food donations are always welcome and needed year round. Click HERE to find out how to donate food or register for running a food drive.
  • Any questions, please feel free to contact them: HERE 
    

• Second Harvest Food Bank: They are looking for volunteers to assist them in unpacking, organizing, and repacking food in order to get it distributed out in the community. If you have an interest, you can direct your volunteers to the below information;
  • They can accommodate individuals, families, and groups. Please visit HERE to learn more and get connected.

• Hope Street Food Pantry: In a new partnership with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, they will bring food dist­ributions directly to neighborhood libraries throughout Mecklenburg County. Starting in March, they will be setting up at a different library branch every month. They are looking for more volunteers to help at these food distributions every month. 
  • What: Library Food Distributions
  • When: One day every month from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Upcoming Library Stops Dates & Locations:
    • April 16th: Hickory Grove (5935 Hickory Grove Rd, Charlotte, NC 28215)
    • May 21st: Sugar Creek (4045 N Tryon St suite a, Charlotte, NC 28206)
    • June 24th: ImaginOn (300 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202)
    • July 16th: West Blvd. (2157 West Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208)
    • August 20th: Steele Creek (13620 Steele Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28273)
    • September 17th: University City (301 E W.T. Harris Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28262)
    • October 15th: South Blvd (4429 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28209)
  • If you would like to volunteer, please sign up HERE.
  • If you have questions, please call them at 704-584-9073 ext 1 or email Melody HERE. 

• Feeding Charlotte: They are looking for 200+ volunteers to feed 5,000 community members. Volunteers are needed for the food preparation on May 3rd from 3 - 5:30 PM at the below listed location to pack 5,000 bag lunches for distribution across distribution sites throughout Charlotte. Volunteers are also needed to help distribute the lunches on May 4th.
  • Friday May 3, 2024 Food Prep
    • Time: 3 - 5:30 PM 
    • Location: Central United Methodist Church 6030 Albemarle Rd Charlotte, NC 28212
    • Volunteers Needed: 200  
  • Saturday May 4, 2024 Lunch Distribution 
    • Time: Drivers and loaders from 9 - 11 AM
    • Pick Up Location: Central United Methodist Church 6030 Albemarle Rd Charlotte, NC 28212
    • Volunteers Needed: 15 drivers (Must Have Vehicle) and 10 loaders
  • Volunteer Ages: All ages (Kids welcome)
  • To volunteer, register HERE

HEALTH & MEDICAL

• Block Love Charlotte: They are partnering with Invision Diagnostics to host an event to support Breast Health and Screenings. Invision will have their mobile unit on site. They need 5-7 volunteers to help serve participants with tea and light snacks as well as to help guide them through the day's process to have their screening done. If you are interested in volunteering or have questions, contact them at team@blockloveclt.org.  
  • Tea & TaTas: Mammogram Screening Event
    • Date: Thursday May 9th
    • Time: 9 AM - 5 PM
    • Location: 2738 N. Graham St. Charlotte, NC 28206

• NC Diaper Bank: As the needs continue to arise, they are looking for donation drive support. Ideally, these would be sustainable, on-going drives but all support is helpful and greatly needed. Below are the additional details to help determine your engagement; 
  • The most critical items in need are:
    • Infant pull ups, sizes 2t-3t through sizes 4t-5t
    • Under jams of all sizes
    • Items for their Period Power Initiative (period products, shorts, underwear and legging) 
    • Adult pull-ups sizes 2xl and larger
    • If this need interest you & you would like more information, please reach out to Avery Payne – Greater Charlotte Branch Coordinator, by email HERE or you can call (980) 900-7364  

• MedAssist: They are in need for volunteers (individuals and/or groups) to assist in assembling their premade packs and/or sort OTC medicine at their Charlotte office on weekday mornings and afternoons as well.
  • All volunteer opportunities can be found HERE or you can call and speak with Andria at 704-350-3578.

EDUCATION

• Project One: One of the main programs within this organization is mentorship. They reached out to us asking for assistance in recruiting more mentors to walk alongside their 2023-2024 scholarship recipients. They connect each scholar with a mentor to help them navigate educational and career choices.
  • If you have any interest in becoming a mentor; please CLICK HERE

• Augustine Literacy Project (ALP): When you become an ALP tutor you are can learn to improve the literacy skills of young, aspiring readers in our community but ALP needs your help! They have flexible in-person and virtual training options.
  
  • For more information & to take the next step, please visit HERE
  • Or feel free to email Andrea for any specific questions HERE 
  
  
• CMS: Their International Center is seeing 100 students a day and are in need of support via donations. If you have any interest in collecting donations for the center, please reach via their website. They are going to be in need of things like, backpacks, feminine products, underwear, jackets, etc.
  • Their website is linked HERE
  
  
• Learning Help Centers of Charlotte: They are looking for homework and reading mentors for elementary school students who are English Language Learners.
  • When? Tuesday evenings, while CMS is in session, from 5:45pm to 6:45pm. Comfortable engaging informal environment
  • Where? St. Andrews United Methodist Church, enter at 1901 Emerywood Rd, CLT NC, 28211. Park in church parking lot, and enter at side of church opposite Montclaire Elementary School
  • Who to Contact? Meghan Miller, Operations Lead via email HERE

• Charlotte Mecklenburg Library: They are recruiting for Reading Buddies, where adults will spend 1-2 hours reading with children each week. Training is provided and multiple Library locations are in need of volunteers. 
  • Volunteers will register on their website HERE for the Library branch where you would like to volunteer (on website, scroll to find available branches)
  • For any further information or details, you can email Elyse Berrier HERE
  • Flyer is linked HERE
  
  
• Promising Pages: They are looking for volunteers to help them clean and process book donations.
  • If you are interested in getting your church involved, please use the registration link HERE
  • If you have a group of 10 or more, they are willing to work with you too. You can set it up by reaching out to Dana HERE
  
  
• HELPS Literacy
  • HELPS Literacy Tutors (Virtual) - For 1 hour per week, HELPS Tutors support 2 CMS students in reading fluency.
    To register for a New Tutor Training or for more information:
    • Email Emily Hall HERE 
    • Or by visiting their website HERE 
  
  
• Heart Math Tutoring: Heart Math provides tutor training, an easy to follow curriculum, and a Heart Program Coordinator at each school site for support. They are looking to recruit more volunteers for the upcoming school year. 
  • The tutoring commitment is 1 hour, once a week from October 2023 to April 2024. 
  • If you are interested in getting involved as a tutor at a specific school, you can see the schools listed HERE as well as submit your desire to engage.
    • Any questions, please contact Heart’s Program and Outreach Coordinator, Rachel Allman HERE

ADDICTION RECOVERY

• Charlotte Rescue Mission: They have 2 different volunteer opportunities that are listed below;
  • Sponsor/Serve for Meals
  • Donation Drives (collection of Gift In-Kind items)  
    
    • If you have interest in learning more about these opportunities, please email Jeff Glenn, Community Relationship Manager, HERE
      

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING

• Present Age Ministries: Click HERE to find out more about their ministry. 
  
  

HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS

• University Soup Kitchen: As they have many different ways to engage with them and serve, they have reached out with one priority need which is the need to support their mobile pantry during the week.
  • To check out all the ways you can serve, along with the mobile pantry volunteer opportunities, you can check them out HERE.
  
  
• Project Outpour: They are in need of volunteers for their Shower Service Days and Hygiene Distribution Events.
  • These are the days/times/locations they need the most help: 
    
    • Wednesdays - Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library | 2412 Beatties Ford Rd. | 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Thursdays - Memorial United Methodist Church | 4012 Central Ave. | 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Fridays - Hickory Grove Library | 5935 Hickory Grove Rd. | 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Click HERE to sign up for shifts. You may need to search for Project Outpour using the email address hello@projectoutpour.org. Volunteers will assist shower guests by gathering requested shower supplies, cleaning in between each guest, keeping the process organized, and visiting with shower guests. 
  • For any questions you may have, please feel free to email them HERE or call Laura at 704-275-5540 
    
  
  
• Just Do It Movement: They educate and provide resources and skills to individuals that need assistance in becoming self-sufficient, while empowering them beyond their circumstances.
  • To learn more about their ministry, watch this piece that Spectrum News did: HERE 
  
  
• Habitat for Humanity: Habitat is moving ahead with construction and home repair. They are subcontracting more of their interior work, but they have a big need for help with outdoor constructing work. These are safe opportunities outdoors. Please reach out to Zach Surber, Faith Relations Manager, at his cell 612-425-8225 for more information.
  
  

REFUGEES & IMMIGRANTS

• The Nest Academy: With the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year upon us, this brings needs for volunteers. The Nest Academy is looking for Reading Buddies, K-5 Classroom Aides, Math Tutors, and Friday Morning Club Leaders. If you have a passion for supporting our refugee and immigrant youths, The Nest Academy offers some great opportunities to engage. 
  • To learn more and register, CLICK HERE
  
  
• International House (IH): IH offers a series of Cultural Sensitivity Training workshops that are designed to equip service providers & individuals with the skills, resources, and expertise they need to communicate effectively with clients from international backgrounds or who are non-native English speakers.
  • The cost of the workshop is $45, which covers your snacks and refreshments, training materials, and Certificate of Completion.
  • To register for upcoming training sessions, click HERE. 
  • To register for any events, please visit HERE.
  • For any questions, please contact Lauren HERE.
  
  
• Project 658: They are looking for 2 different volunteer needs.
  • Mentoring Volunteers: They are in need of people who love Jesus, are comfortable in cross-cultural settings, and have a desire to show the love of Jesus through practical ways like English conversation, helping navigate life in America, and just showing up to be a friend to refugees in Charlotte. 
    • If interested you can contact Julia HERE or Mark HERE
  • Make Welcome Sewing School is looking for assistant teachers for our refugee sewing classes. We are in need of several female sewing class volunteers to assist the main sewing instructor one day a week, from 10am-12. Requirements are a basic knowledge of sewing, being comfortable in a multi-cultural/multi-language environment, and a love for Jesus!
    • To apply, please complete THIS application
  
  
• Refugee Support Services (RSS): They are looking for dedicated volunteers to work specifically with the registration and documentation review of new program participants and volunteers. They need individuals who are able to commit to this role at least one morning (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) a week for a period of 6 months or more. Training will be provided.
  • If interested in volunteering with RSS in this way, please sign up HERE

FAMILY RESILIENCE, FOSTER CARE, & ADVOCACY 

• Out of the Ashes come alongside families that have experienced pregnancy loss, infant loss, or are on the journey of infertility by showing honor, providing help, and restoring hope in the Gospel of Christ. They have a FREE event for bereaved moms where they are looking for 15-20 volunteers to help put on this event:
  • Bereaved Mother's Afternoon Tea
    • Date: May 5th, 2024
    • Time: 2-4 PM
    • Location: A Cause for Tea, 418 E Franklin St, Monroe, NC 28112
  • This event is for bereaved mothers who have walked through pregnancy loss or infant loss. There will be gifts, tea, and sweets provided to each mom who attends. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please reach out to Theo via email or call/text him at 410-807-6900. 

• HOPEmatch serves families who are overlooked within our community through various programs that intentionally meet physical and personal needs. They need volunteers for their upcoming Pop Up Shop in April.
  • Pop Up Shop Event - Providing Baskets of Personal Essentials Items for Local Families in Need
    • Event Prep: Friday April 26 | 10 AM - 5 PM
      • Friday volunteer opportunities include sorting donations and making baskets.
    • Day of Event: Saturday April 27 | 8:30 AM - 1 PM
      • Saturday volunteer opportunities include Prayer Team, Basket Loaders, and Greeters
        
  • Location: Next Level Church (4317 Stevens Mill Rd, Matthews, NC 28104)
  • If you would like to volunteer or have questions, please reach out to Erin Blackmore via email HERE or call 704-271-4636.

• HopeKids: They provide ongoing events, activities and a powerful, unique support community for families who have a child with cancer or some other life threatening medical condition. HopeKids reached out to us asking for volunteer support. So, if you would like to volunteer with them, here are the steps they encourage you to take:
  • Please sign the linked documents and send them to Heather Curran, Program Manager. There is a permission form for a background check and also an acknowledgment of our abuse policy to keep our HopeKids safe. 
    • Background Permission: HERE
    • Abuse Policy: HERE
    • Volunteer Handbook for any further information: HERE
  • Once Heather receives those documents, she will send you the Abuse Training link. This is a training video you can do online on your own time and it takes less than an hour to complete. 
  • For any further information or questions, please email Heather Curran HERE
    

• Congregations for Kids (CFK): Check out all the ways you can engage with CFK and the foster care community of children, families, and social workers HERE.
  • Location: CFK office 5835 Executive Center Drive, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC
  • If you have any question, please reach out to Sara Miller VIA EMAIL or 704-918-1515
    

• Freedom WithIn Walls: They have reached out to us to share a few of their current needs. We have listed them below for your review.
  • Volunteers Needed: They are looking for volunteers for reading, academic enrichment services and tutoring. They are open daily throughout the year so reaching out to them directly for specific hours would be most efficient.  
  • Vehicle Need: Freedom Within Walls is gearing up for their summer enrichment program which serves their at risk youth. They would love to include field trips this year but are in need of a passenger vehicle or bus to make those happen. If your church isn't using their transportation over the summer or you know of anyone possibly getting rid of this type of vehicle, they ask that you reach out. 
  • Meal Sponsorship Opportunities: Their ministry feeds approximately 1500 students daily through their enrichment program. If you would like to support them by supplying a one-time meal or ongoing meals, they would love to hear from you. Please feel free to reach out for more specific information & to coordinate.
    • To reach out, please email HERE
      

• Machiah's House: Is a transitional six-bed group home, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for homeless young female adults in Charlotte, NC. Machiah’s House is able to serve six female adults between the ages of 18 to 21 years old. They have reached out to us to try to spread the word about their organization but also share their need(s).
  
  • Housing: They are looking for a transitional group home (land & home), to best assist the population they are passionate to serve in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.
    • If you know of anything or have a need for more clarity, please feel free to reach out to Founder & ED, Dr. Shandria Pridgen at (704) 763-4100
      

PRISON MINISTRY

• Bridges to Life (BTL): BTL has recently been invited to bring the Bridges To Life program to the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Clinic (ARC) in Charlotte. If you are not familiar with the ARC, the men that reside there are homeless as a result of their drug or alcohol addictions and they are desperately working toward sobriety. In order to get this program off the ground, they are in need of volunteer support.
  • Whether you are a victim of crime, in recovery, or a good listener with a heart to help, please consider joining them to minister at the Salvation Army in Charlotte. If interested, please email Joel Lightfoot HERE or by calling him at 254-313-8181.

• Changed Choices: They have reached out looking for support of meals for their weekly bible studies. 
  • Each week, their clients, staff, and volunteers meet at our re-entry home for fellowship and bible study
    • If you would like to support this by providing a meal, you can do so by clicking on THIS LINK to register

SENIOR CARE RESOURCES

• Free Transportation for our Disabled & Elderly (60 yrs +) Individuals: Mecklenburg County is offering free transportation for needs such as local grocery food chains, pharmacies, farmers markets, barber shops & beauty salons, places of worship, and some medical appointments.
  • Elderly -  is 60 years + of age / Disabled Individuals - 18 - 59
  • This service is offered 364 days a year/7 days a week and all trips must be made 3 days in advance
  • Mecklenburg Transportation System Scheduling Line: 704-336-4547 
  
  
• Caring.com is a leading senior care resource for family caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. There are multiple resources on their website.
  We want to highlight their Emergency Housing Guide, which provides information and resources to senior citizens who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Below are some areas this resource will cover:
  
  • Emergency housing
  • Emergency Rental Assistance Program or (ERA)
  • Housing Choice Voucher Program 
  • Supportive Housing for the Elderly
  • HUD, VA, and much more

• SeniorHomes.com has Memory Care guides that explain what it is and the different care facilities specially designed for seniors with memory impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
  • Basic Guide to Memory Care
    
    • What is Memory Care?
    • How Much Does Memory Care Cost?
    • Different Levels of Care
    • Symptoms of Memory Impairment & Dementia
    • When to Move from Assisted Living to Memory Care
    • Memory Care & Medicare, and more
  • Overview of North Carolina Memory Care
    • List of facilities by city in NC
    • Cost of NC Memory Care
    • Find communities by zip code

EMERGENCY RESPONSE RESOURCES

• American Red Cross: There are currently 2 types of volunteer needs that they would like to share:
  • Their Disaster Action Team volunteers are critically important, not just to the Red Cross but to our community. These volunteers are part of a team that responds in-person to local emergencies (primarily home fires). They not only provide comfort, hope, and compassion to impacted households, but also connections to Red Cross and community resources. This includes financial assistance for lodging and referrals to Healthcare, Mental Health, and Spiritual Care services.
    • Volunteer disaster responders are asked to be on-call 6 shifts per month. Each shift is approximately 8-12 hours. While volunteers may not always get dispatched during their on-call shift, they do need to be available for in-person response should something happen.
  • Disaster Spiritual Care volunteers assist disaster clients to utilize their own spiritual resources, values, and faith during crisis, regardless of faith tradition. The volunteers would participate in local responses, such as:
    • Providing support to families who have experienced a home fire
    • Facilitate long-term recovery for clients – providing spiritual and emotional support, and connection to local resources
    • Assist in developing partnerships with local faith-based organizations
    • Are involved in preparedness efforts
      • For more information on either of these engagement opportunities, please contact Amy Korb via email HERE or by phone at 704.221.8862

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES

• World Vision: Help us take steps locally so that women and children no longer have to take steps globally for unclean water.
  • Video link: HERE

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & PRAYER REQUESTS

• HR Ministry Matters: This organization is an affordable monthly subscription service that provides an online, self-service portal for all your basic HR needs AND unlimited access to a certified HR professional M – F 8 am – 8 pm EST. (via email or phone)
  • Features include: 
    • Employee handbook creation
    • Policy review & creation
    • Templates, letters, checklists, and guides
    • E-news updates
      • For more information, you can visit their website HERE or reach out directly to Robin Marrin at 919-444-2757
  
  
• Hope Haven | The Forum: Launched in early 2023, The Forum is a community hub for education, training, mentoring, and collaboration for non-profit professionals. Located conveniently on Hope Haven's campus, they are offering cost-effective training and continuing education from top educators and presenters open to the non-profit community on wide-ranging topics such as:
  • Mental Health
  • De-escalation
  • First Aid & CPR
  • Boundaries & Ethics
  • Cultural Competence
    • Register for an upcoming course: HERE
  
  
• The Forum at Hope Haven invite you and members of your staff to participate in a 9-month MI (Motivational interviewing) Community Learning Project. Motivational interviewing (MI) is an effective, evidence-based technique for helping clients resolve ambivalence about behaviors that prevent change. If you have any interest and want to learn more, the link to the flyer HERE 
• Healthy Communities NC: Please visit HERE to see great statistical data on social & economical factors, physical environments, health behaviors, clinical care, and health outcome data. This is a fantastic resource for localized data.
  
  
• Housing & Homelessness Dashboard: Please visit  HERE to get up-to-date data around the Charlotte Mecklenburg housing crisis.
  
  
• MEANS Database: This is a food recovery platform. This is a text notification program that connects individuals in need to available food close to them. We can encourage this from the excess food perspective as well as a resource to individuals and families in need. Check them out HERE
  
  
• Families Forward CLT: This is a great resource page and it is organized by the need which makes it much easier to navigate. Check them out HERE