Oct. 24, 2024
BY JOHN BAILEY
Addressing the issue of hunger was the leading focus during the Catawba County United Way’s third grant cycle of the year.
In September, the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) board approved the Small Businesses Love Big grant committee’s recommendation to allocate $23,750 to fund 10 local non-profit agencies.
The CCUW’s Small Businesses Love Big grant cycle is an opportunity for small companies in Catawba County (50 employees or less) to invest back into their communities by supporting non-profit programs.
“What I like about this grant is that it addresses some specific needs, like the refrigerator, like the mattresses,” Cynda Bollinger from Catawba Valley Insurance and SBLB grant committee member said.
Fellow SBLB grant committee Brooke Padgett from The Gardner Group added how heartwarming it was to see all the different ways non-profits are helping those in need in the county.
“There are so many needs covering so many demographics, between the homeless, children, veterans, seniors,” Padgett said.
Five of the agencies receiving a grant will either support a local food pantry or a local feeding program.
2024-25 Grant Recipients
Catawba Co. Council on Aging – West Hickory Senior Center Food Pantry
The Corner Table – Backpack food program
Catawba Valley Community College – Hawk’s Nest Food Pantry
Family Care Center – Services for Homeless Families
Fostering Hope Catawba Valley – Meet needs of children in foster care
Hickory Soup Kitchen – H.O.P.E. Center employment prog.
More Than Enough Ministries – Back to school project
The Kindness Project – Sunday meals/outreach
Walk With Me Healing Steps – Mental health services
Women’s Resource Center – Womenade Program
The Catawba County United Way wants to thank all of the local small businesses who partnered with us to make this grant cycle possible.
Learn more about the SBLB grant cycle at the link below or call 828-327-6851.
In the Photo: (From left): Brooke Padgett - The Gardner Group, Mark Bumgarner - Catawba County United Way, Cynda Bollinger - Catawba Valley Insurance.