CHARLOTTE — Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is collecting school supplies for students in need.
“We are very mindful of the many, many ways in which COVID-19 has dramatically impacted our lives,” said Dr. Gerard Carter, Catholic Charities’ executive director. “This is especially the case for students who are returning to instruction amid great uncertainty.”
Collecting school supplies and backpacks is one more way the agency is providing help to children who are especially vulnerable during the pandemic.
Carter said the agency is grateful for any donations of new school supplies.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
A full list of supplies and more information:
Catholic Charities wishes to provide school supplies to children in need this year.
Whether learning happens remotely or in-person, having proper supplies will enhance students’ learning.
Donations can be dropped off at any Catholic Charities Regional Office.
• Charlotte Regional Office: 1123 S. Church Street, Charlotte, NC 28203
• Piedmont Triad Regional Office:1612 East 14th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27105
• Western Regional Office: 50 Orange Street, Asheville, NC 28801
Suggested supplies needed:
• Headphones
• Package of Pre Sharpened #2 Pencils
• Plastic Pencil Box
• Box of 24 Crayons
• Glue Sticks
• Pair of Scissors
• Personal Pencil Sharpener
• Wide Ruled Composition Notebook (Red, Yellow, Black)
• Individual Dry Erase Board
• Dry Erase Markers (4 count)
• Spiral Notebooks
• Colored Pencils (12 Count)
• 3x3 Post It Notes, assorted colors
• Pack of Notebook Paper
• 12 inch Ruler
• Pack- Grid Paper
Items needed when returning to in-class learning:
• Disinfecting Wipes
• Personal Hand Sanitizer
• Individual Pack of Kleenex Facial Tissue
• Backpack
• Extra masks
CHARLOTTE — Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is reporting a spike in requests for help after government protections against evictions and utility shut-offs have expired.
Moratoriums have expired on landlords evicting tenants and utility companies disconnecting residential service due to nonpayment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The protections were designed to help people stay in their homes and have access to vital utilities such as water and electricity during the public health crisis.
In the past four weeks, Catholic Charities has given out nearly $21,000 to 16 people in the Charlotte area to help them pay their past-due rent and utility bills. The agency is relying on contributions from the public as well as two recent grants from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg COVID-19 Response Fund to provide emergency assistance.
“Many of these families were facing eviction or utility shut-off because they did not have the means to pay. All were affected financially by COVID-19,” said Sandy Buck, Catholic Charities’ Charlotte regional director.
Catholic Charities’ Winston-Salem office is also seeing a rise in demand for assistance.
In one example, a father of six who was furloughed from his job in March because of COVID-19 reached out for help after being evicted. He had managed to cover his expenses until May, but then the money ran out and his landlord took him to court.
Meghan Miles, case management coordinator for the Piedmont Triad office, said the man reached out to Catholic Charities after his family was locked out and forced to move into a hotel.
“He tried everything to stave off the eviction,” Miles explained. “However, without the ability to make a full payment of all that was due, the office would not take any portion of the back rent. A management change in the rental office also delayed his ability to advocate for his family.”
Thanks to suggestions from Catholic Charities, he was able to access federal funds through Central Piedmont Community Action. Catholic Charities helped him with the remaining rent he owed, and his family was able to move back into their home.
“After a daunting week at the hotel and with financial and food assistance, they returned home and he received the call to come back to work,” Miles said.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
How you can help
Your financial donations can support Catholic Charities in its work to help people affected by the pandemic to buy food, pay their utility bills and avoid eviction. Make donations online at www.ccdoc.org (click on “Donate”); or by mail to: Catholic Charities, Central Processing, 1123 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC 28203.
Need help?
Catholic Charities intends to help as many people as possible during the pandemic. To find out about medical resources, changes to government benefits and food pantries near you, call 2-1-1 to find up-to-date information on available community services. Families needing financial assistance can self-refer through NCCARE360 at www.nccare360.org/request-assistance.