Rowan Helping Ministries

On Thanksgiving Day, we ate turkey with family. On Black Friday and CyberMonday, we shopped. And today — #GivingTuesday — we can give back.

Rowan Helping Ministries is joining with thousands of nonprofits across the world today to celebrate #GivingTuesday, a special day of giving. #GivingTuesday is a global movement designed to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season during the holidays. It uses the power of social media to inspire people to help improve their local communities and create a better world.

Currently, more than 45,000 corporate and nonprofit organizations in over 71 countries have participated in the initiative, which began in 2012.

“We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals. But #GivingTuesday is a day for people to come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give,” said Kyna Grubb, executive director of Rowan Helping Ministries.

Grubb encourages Rowan County residents to find a way for their families, their communities, their companies and organizations to come together and make a difference in the lives of those in need. And then share, via social media, how they are giving to help others so that others might join in.

Rowan Helping Ministries is encouraging giving in two ways, she said:

• GIVE a donation to Rowan Helping Ministries so that families struggling to pay overdue rent and utility bills can stay warm and in their own homes. The agency hopes to raise $5,000 in the #GivingTuesday campaign to help 17 families with financial assistance. Online donations may be made on the agency’s website at rowanhelpingministries.org. Click on the #GivingTuesday icon to make a donation. Call 704-637-6838, ext. 100 if you have questions.
• GIVE your time as a volunteer – December is the busiest month in Rowan Helping Ministries’ food pantry as up to 80 families a day get food during the holiday season. At least 25 volunteers are needed each day to pack groceries for clients, restock pantry shelves, process food donations on the dock and pick up food donations at grocery stores. For families who want to work together, the agency has evening and weekend volunteer opportunities for the food pantry. Those interested in volunteering should call 704-637-6838, ext. 112 or email the volunteer coordinator at ehuffman@rowanhelpingministries.org.

Grubb said that generosity feels good, both for the giver and the receiver.

“Especially during the holiday season, our volunteers’ spirits are high as they pack groceries for our clients, talk with them and take the groceries to their cars,” Grubb said. “It’s been especially noticeable the past few weeks as volunteers have added turkeys or hams and extra food to the clients’ bags.”

“Clients leave more hopeful because of the food donations they receive and the kind words of encouragement they hear from volunteers,” she said. “Our donors and volunteers help make Rowan County a very special place to live.”