CABARRUS COOPERATIVE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY INC

Geographic areas served: Cabarrus County, NC

Programs: Food assistance:hunger, poor nutrition and food insecurities remain a challenge in homes and schools across cabarrus and southern rowan counties. Ccm operates nine satellite food pantries in our coverage area, in addition to the primary pantry and office location at the ccm crisis center. Ccm operated 7 mobile food pantries this year in partnership with feeding america (second harvest) and local churches to reach needy families in areas of high need who may have transportation issues getting to one of our permanent pantries. We serve prepared meals through our housing programs, and through an evening meal partnership with four local churches. In addition, ccm directs a back pack program, partnering with local afterschool programs for at-risk students to provide healthy snacks and assistance with groceries for their families. This school year, weve distributed 1,840 backpacks through this program. Ccm distributes more than 1 million pounds of food each year and in 2014-15 served more than 18,000 households in need. We served more than 18,000 prepared meals.

shelter & housing programs:family homelessness continues to grow in cabarrus county, as indicated in the 2015 point-in-time count. Our community still reflects a high number of homeless individuals in families with children. Local schools report more than 300 students who are homeless and enrolled in school. These numbers are often unduplicated from the homeless point-in-time count conducted each year. Ccms shelter & housing programs focus on the needs of homeless families and seek to teach perseverance and restore hope, even in the midst of challenging circumstances. Ccm operates three shelter & housing programs: my fathers house, a shelter for homeless families; the mothers & children housing ministry, a transitional housing program for homeless mothers and their preadolescent children; and project independence, a long term housing program for working homeless families and those in crisis. These programs served 51 families in 2014-15, containing 93 children. Capacity will soon increase in both my fathers house and project independence to allow ccm to serve more families.

financial assistance:high unemployment and increases in utility rates have prolonged the financial strain on many households trying to maintain housing. Ccm continues to see high levels of need, complicated by complex circumstances that are evident in the stress and anxiety levels of our clients in need. Budgets are reviewed, crisis validated, and personal responsibility demonstrated in an effort to develop and execute a specific plan for individuals and families to move beyond crisis. Program services include assistance with rent/mortgage, utilities, prescription medication, and critical transportation to help families stay together and keep their housing, as well as help seniors remain independent. More than 700 households received financial assistance in 2014-15.