Feb. 16, 2026
BYJOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
The Catawba County United Way was excited to be part of the Kindness Project’s Shower Day at the Hickory Soup Kitchen Saturday (Feb. 7).
The event was open to those experiencing homelessness, living unsheltered, on the streets or in encampments.
Along with access to showers at the Hickory Soup Kitchen, there were free haircuts, hygiene items and lunch. The United Way provided free coats…
News
Feb. 12, 2026
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
Last year, 186 families in Catawba County defaulted on their mortgage while 1,462 families were evicted and 13,702 households simply struggled to afford their homes, according to 2025 NC Housing Coalition data.
“We see a lot of working families and seniors…the ones barely making it and one small crisis in their life, the need for extra medicine or getting a larger water bill or having a…
Feb. 11, 2026
The Catawba County United Way (CCUW) will start its 2026 Main Request for Funding (RFP) grant cycle this February for non-profits who meet critical needs of citizens in Catawba County.
The RFP grant applications will open on Feb. 16 on the CCUW’s web portal and are due by midnight March 23 - https://www.ccunitedway.com/catawba-county-united-way-agency-portal.
Applying organizations must either be incorporated as a not-for-profit…
Feb. 2, 2026
EMERGENCY WINTER SUPPLIES DRIVE
In an effort to support our partner nonprofits who have been putting forth an amazing effort this winter to keep our unsheltered safe, the Catawba County United Way is hosting a drive through February to collect Emergency Winter Supplies.
Supplies shared with Kindness Project Hickory, Strong Life Ministries, Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, Room in the Inn Newton and The Salvation…
Jan. 29, 2026
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
The Catawba County Youth Council is accepting Requests for Funding Proposals (RFPs) targeted to address the impact areas of health and education as they relate to the needs and wellbeing of children and youth in our community.
Applications will open on the Catawba County United Way (CCUW) website Feb. 2 - https://www.ccunitedway.com/catawba-county-united-way-agency-portal.
The Youth…
Jan. 27, 2026
Every year the Catawba County United Way is focused on supporting resources in our community that provide hope and a hand-up for individuals and families facing a crisis.
In 2026, the CCUW’s funded partners represent 15 local programs that address a variety of these needs:
· Exodus Homes – Transitional Housing post recovery/incarceration
· Sipe’s Orchard Home – Transitional Housing for Homeless Teens
· The…
Jan. 20, 2026
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
“We're not going to let you walk by yourself.”
Dytisha Watkins along with her daughter and granddaughter,
heard and felt this message throughout their four-month stay at The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory’s Shelter of Hope last year.
According to the NC Balance of State Continuum of Care Point in Time homeless count, there were 32 families with children facing homelessness in Catawba…
Dec. 22, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
Generosity, collaboration and kindness are the hallmarks of the annual Catawba County Christmas Bureau, a collaborative effort among local nonprofits and public agencies to provide toys, clothing, coats and food to children and teenagers in need of assistance during the holiday season.
This year’s event wrapped up last week, Dec. 18, and served more than 850 families and approximately 2,…
Dec. 12, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
Catawba County Government employee Mary Morrison is the 2025 Catawba County United Way’s Car Giveaway winner.
She was one of 10 finalists drawn each week since September by RLI-CPA Certified Public Accountants for a chance to win a new car donated by Paramount Automotive Group in Hickory. On Thursday, each finalist had a chance to start a car with a key pulled at random at Paramount.…
Nov. 20, 2025
BY JOHN BAILEY
jbailey@ccunitedway.com
An abandoned house.
No walls in some places.
Holes in the floor.
A tarp for the roof.
But it’s the only place you can call home.
More than 11,600 individuals were homeless last year in North Carolina, according to data from the 2024 HUD Continuum of Care Homeless count. In Catawba County that number was 449, including 32 families with children the NC Point in Time count data said.…