Stories

Meet Crisis Assistance Ministry, a SHARE Charlotte Nonprofit Partner

SHARE Charlotte wants to build a better Charlotte by empowering nonprofits and helping people invest in their community in ways that matter most to them. We love getting the chance to sit down with a nonprofit and learn more about their programs, in turn sharing with you, Charlotte, how easy it is to get involved and help.

Meet Crisis Assistance Ministry!

💙 Charlotteans would love to know more about Crisis Assistance Ministry! Could you tell us more?

Crisis Assistance Ministry stabilizes Charlotte-Mecklenburg families in Charlotte Mecklenburg with hope, help and understanding by providing for basics like rent, utilities, and essential household goods while fostering long term financial stability.  Our most recent community impact is available online here.

An average of 120 families walks through our doors every day seeking help with everything from housing stability to essential clothing and household goods. The financial gap in Charlotte is vast, and many families fall into it due to something as simple as missing a couple days of work because their children or themselves got sick.

People who seek assistance at Crisis Assistance Ministry often have 63% of their income obligated to rent and utilities. For a population who earns an average of $2,000 a month, this means $1,260 is spent on housing and only $740 remains for other needs. This is not enough to meet the basic needs of a family, like food, water, electricity, and transportation, not to mention any opportunities for relaxation or self-care.

Supporting families in Charlotte can look like a variety of things including making a direct contribution, donating your material goods for customers to choose from at no cost, or volunteering to ensure families have access to what they need to achieve financial stability.

🫶🏽 If someone were to volunteer with you, what would that look like and what impact does it have on your organization?

Volunteers are always welcome, and we invite you to bring your friends and make a fun day out of it. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by our compassionate and energetic Production team who will guide you in providing quality control over donations so each family who comes to Crisis Assistance Ministry can shop, free of charge, and pick out clothes and household goods that make them feel their best! Volunteers are critical to what happens here, and we would love to see new faces. Most of our opportunities can be found on our Share Charlotte profile or on our website at crisisassistance.org/volunteer

Are there any upcoming events or fundraisers you would like to share with the community?

Right now, we are in the midst of our annual “Non-Event” fundraiser. This has been a fun way of “shake off” traditional fundraising galas for 26 years here at Crisis Assistance Ministry.  

We invite Charlotteans not to add an event to their calendar, but instead to spend the time they would at a fundraising event doing something they enjoy while making a direct contribution to meet the urgent needs of other families in our community. 

Time is money for families experiencing the financial gap in Charlotte. Every hour they aren’t at work is money that could support their family. So, we are asking Charlotteans to “Imagine the Possibilities” they open up for Charlotte families when they make a direct contribution to our neighbors. Whether it be providing air conditioning during these hot summer months or school supplies for a student heading back to class, you can make the difference while also doing something you love.

Everyone is invited to imagine the possibilities for Charlotte-Mecklenburg families with a gift now through August 31st at crisisassistance.org/nonevent