March 2, 2023
BY JOHN BAILEY
We all know the saying – “It takes a village.”
Well, every week it takes an Army – the volunteers and staff of The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory to be specific, who work tirelessly to make sure dozens of local families in need are fed.
And that need is growing.
“We’ve seen an increase in our food pantry request as well as the Loaves and Fishes line. We’re definitely seeing more people in the Hickory area,” Major Angela Repass of The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory said. “We know ECCCM (Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry) is helping greatly as well, but we are all seeing an increase in need.”
According to NC 211 data, there were 689 calls for help to find food resources in the state in January. In February, that number increased to 752 calls. Those numbers are expected to continue to increase with the recent end of extra Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Benefits for COVID-19 that families enrolled in FNS received each month since March 2020.
The Salvation Army of Greater Hickory’s response to this need is the reason the Catawba County United Way has helped support those efforts for years, and is excited to have the agency as a funded partner.
The food distribution at The Salvation Army Crisis Center happens every Wednesday, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. (750 3rd Avenue Pl SE in Hickory).
Staff pick up food at local grocery stores throughout the week with the items divided between the weekly food distribution and The Salvation Army’s Shelter of Hope.
Volunteers help sort all the food that comes in (produce, meat, etc.) and then start packing the food bags, preparing them for the pick-ups on Wednesday.
Maj. Repass mentioned they are always looking for more volunteers, especially with the growing need for food in the county.
For more information about The Salvation Army’s food relief resources, call 828-322-8061.
To learn more about other Catawba County United Way funded partners and how they are having a positive impact on those in need, visit - THIS LINK.