Feb. 3, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
On Monday, Jan. 27, Catawba County United Way Executive Director Mark Bumgarner was notified that the Blue Ridge Piedmont Chapter of the American Red Cross would be setting up an emergency shelter for those who were displaced by a fire that night at Hickory Gardens senior living Apartments.
The shelter was hosted at Christ Lutheran Church in Hickory and housed up to 11 of the 30-plus individuals forced out of their homes because of the fire.
Bumgarner immediately contacted the leaders of the local American Red Cross chapter to let them know the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) was ready to help in any way needed.
Starting Tuesday, Meals for the shelter was the primary request.
The United Way coordinated an evening meal Tuesday from The Hickory Soup Kitchen. On Wednesday, the CCUW coordinated with The Corner Table in Newton to provide lunch and Cranford Brother's BBQ in Hickory for dinner.
The shelter closed Thursday afternoon after temporary housing was established for those displaced by the fire. Publix in Hickory provided a final lunch for those still at the shelter.
The CCUW also received commitments from Bob Lackey’s restaurant group and from Granny’s Kitchen.
“I want to recognize they were willing to step up and help if needed as well,” Bumgarner said.
The United Way also donated more than two dozen new bath towels along with hygiene items for those in the shelter.
The American Red Cross will continue to work out of the CCUW’s office to meet with those displaced by the fire, providing long-term case planning.
“In the end what we have brought to this effort is that ability to connect needs and resources,” Bumgarner said. “Certainly, we don’t want to burden our local restaurants but what we know to be true is if we all participate it’s not a heavy lift for everybody.”