Editor’s note: Ask Us is a weekly feature published online Mondays and in print on Tuesdays. We’ll seek to answer your questions about items or trends in Rowan County. Have a question? Email it to askus@salisburypost.com.

SALISBURY — Rowan Helping Ministries is preparing for a steady increase in clients because of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Erica Taylor, the director of community relations.

“We believe that we will see a significant increase once utility companies begin reinstating disconnection notices,” she said. “It has been challenging with a limited number of volunteers. But we know that the need is great, so we are doing whatever it takes to be there, especially during difficult times like this.”

The social distancing protocols put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic have wreaked havoc on the economy. On Thursday, the Labor Department reported that 6.6 million Americans filed first-time unemployment claims last week. The effects of this are still rippling down to charities and those in need.

A Salisbury Post reader asked what charities could accept help during this time. Here is a list of local charities and their needs:

• The Rowan County United Way’s COVID-19 Relief Fund

This fund was established March 22 as a partnership with the Salisbury Post. The United Way will distribute the funds raised to local nonprofits and agencies helping people with food insecurity, housing needs and medical expenses, three needs which have been identified as acute in this time as crisis. The nonprofits will then distribute the distribution to those in need. This fund is important because its fundraising supports many local nonprofits that provide a variety of services, said Jenny Lee, the executive director of Rowan County United Way.

Donations can be made at rowanunitedway.org, by texting “RELIEF” to 704-286-1011 or by mailing a contribution to United Way at 131 West Innes St., Suite 201, Salisbury, N.C. 28144. Mailed contributions should make them to the attention of the COVID-19 Relief Fund, and online donations should include a note in the comments section saying it’s for the COVID-19 Relief Fund.

• Rowan Helping Ministries

According to their website, the mission of Rowan Helping Ministries is to serve those in crisis through both education and the provision of essential life needs. The programs of Rowan Helping Ministries that are currently operating during the pandemic are Food for Thought, Food Pantry, Jeannie’s Kitchen, shelter, day showers and financial assistance for the prevention of evictions or for medication.

Right now, there is a need for volunteers, blankets, shower shoes, deodorant, gallon Ziploc bags, rubber gloves, homemade masks, canned fruit, soup, breakfast items, individual grits and oatmeal packages, 2% gallon milk and cereal, Taylor said. Clothing donations are not being accepted at this time.

Donations can be delivered to the loading dock at 226 N. Long St., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Ring the doorbell. Financial donations to cover necessary resources and staff support due to a decrease in volunteer participation can be made at rowanhelpingministries.org/donate.

• Community Care Clinic of Rowan County

The Community Care Clinic is a free clinic. It “will continue to provide medical, dental and pharmacy services for individuals who are uninsured or unable to access care,” according to its website. Funding is needed to continue to pay employees and buy medications that cannot be obtained for free. There is also a need for masks, gloves and hand sanitizer.

Donations can be made at communitycareofrowan.org/donate.

• Family Crisis Council of Rowan County

The mission of the Family Crisis Council of Rowan “is to help empower victims of rape, sexual assault, incest and domestic violence take back their lives,” according to its website.

Donations can be made on their website at fccrowan.org/get-involved-2/. Checks made out to the Family Crisis Council can be mailed to PO Box 50, Spencer, NC 28159. Funds can be designated to the account, Family Crisis Council fund #2926.

In-kind donations can be dropped off at the office Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 502 N. Long Street in Salisbury. A list of needs can be found on their website. Clothing donations are not being accepted at this time.

• Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Centers (CRCHC)

According to its website, CRCHC is a non-profit that “strives to provide safe, quality, affordable, effective and comprehensive health services to the citizens of Cabarrus and Rowan counties in North Carolina.”

Donations can be made online at crchc.org/donate.

• Communities in Schools of Rowan County

Communities in Schools is a national program. The Rowan County program “offers in-school mentoring and tutoring, supportive guidance to students and parents, transportation, school uniforms and supplies, referrals to community agencies and assistance with ’emergency’ clothing for students at the elementary schools,” according to its website.

During the COVID-19 crisis, student support specialists have been working with other organizations to organize food bags and calling students to check-in. The organization is also providing parents with assistance for school supplies and student clothing if they are needed, said Dr. Ron Turbyfill, the executive director of the organization.

Donations can be made on their website, www.cisrowan.org.

• Meals on Wheels Rowan

“Meals on Wheels Rowan provides a nutritious meal delivered by volunteers who offer a friendly greeting and provide an informal safety check to homebound seniors and disabled citizens of Rowan County,” according to its website. Currently, there is a need for funds to cover food delivery and the employment of staff.

Donations can be made at https://www.mowrowan.org/ways-to-give.

• Salvation Army

The Salvation Army provides a variety of services to those in need, including a food pantry, clothing vouchers, rent and utilities emergency assistance, youth programs, Christmas assistance, disaster services as well as ministries. There is a need for funding to help clients with bills and for canned foods.

Donations can be made at online at www.salvationarmycarolinas.org/salisbury/ or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

• Rufty Holmes Senior Center

The Rufty-Holmes Senior Center is a multi-purpose center for seniors in Rowan County. Although the center is closed to the public due to the pandemic, there are continuing services of weekly meals for adults over 60, errand services, caregiver support and supplies and group socialization phone calls. The organization can also help coordinate Daily Safety Check in phone calls and Medicare paperwork assistance via the phone. There is a need for volunteers to help with food delivery, shelf-stable food, hygiene products.

Financial donations can be made online at ruftyholmes.org/donate/.

• Pregnancy Support Center

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the center is only taking appointments for wipes, diapers, formula or to supply a self-administered pregnancy test, according to their website.

Donations can be made online at pregnancysupport.com/partner-with-us/.

• Main Street Marketplace

Main Street Marketplace has traditionally provided classes as well as food to those in need in the China Grove area. Although their classes are canceled, food will still being provided in a sterile manner.

Food and financial donations are being accepted. Information can be found at www.marketandmeeting.org/donations.

• Nazareth Children’s Services

Nazareth Child and Family Connection has a variety of services for children and families ranging from foster care to outpatient substance abuse therapy. The organization is in need of financial donations, disinfectants and cleaning products, toilet paper, paper towers, and education and entertainment items and games.

Donations can be made online at www.nazcfc.org.

• Rowan One Church One Child

Rowan One Church One Child “is a partnership between Rowan County Department of Social Services (RCDSS) and Rowan County Churches,” according to its website. It aims to help Rowan County children and teenagers in the RCDSS system.

Donations of gently used clothing and new diapers, wipes, bed pillows, cleaning supplies and hygiene items can be taken to Main Street United Methodist Church.

• Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center

The Terri Hess House Child Advocacy Center provides children victims of sexual and physical abuse services like mental health intervention and medical evaluations at no cost.

Donations can be made online at preventchildabuserowan.org/how-you-can-help or via mail with a check made payable to Prevent Child Abuse Rowan delivered to Prevent Child Abuse Rowan, 130 Woodson St., Salisbury, NC 28144.