Common Heartbeat Blog

Thanks to a $23,000 grant from Tyson Foods, we will be able to increase the amount of nonperishable foods available for our neighbors in Union County facing food insecurity.  The one-year grant will allow Common Heart to implement a new program, the Food Drive Patrol, to increase the number of […]

For Sarah Ann Carter, Getting Ahead was the boost she didn’t know she needed.  This single mom of two young boys – one who has autism – is a domestic violence survivor. She said until this empowerment group, she didn’t know just how low her self-esteem was. It was affecting […]

We’re excited to introduce you to Grace Lotharp, Empowerment Outreach Coordinator. As part of the Economic Empowerment Team, Grace recruits volunteers and meals for the Getting Ahead program and is building a network of local partners passionate about helping families escape poverty.  Grace has a bachelor’s business degree with a […]

Attention volunteers!  Mark your calendar for our annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on Sunday, April 13. We’re thrilled to be returning to the historic Belk Mansion in downtown Monroe to celebrate you! You’ll enjoy a free lunch, door prizes, games and we’ll give out a few volunteer awards.  RSVP by Monday, April 7: https://tinyurl.com/3vsh6twy […]

One of our most recent Getting Ahead graduates, Melanie Torrence, faces a lot of challenges as a kidney dialysis patient. She has treatments at least three times a week and cares for her son, volunteering at his school as much as possible. Before GA, she said, they were living in […]

Another successful Hunger Walk is complete and we set a few records along the way: most money raised, most sponsors, most walkers and most pups joining in the fun!  We’re at $98,095 of our $100k goal! You can help with a donation by Monday, March 10 online: CommonHeartHungerWalk.org  Shout-out to our friends […]

We’re thrilled to introduce you to one of our newest staff members, Ruth Wilson, Getting Ahead facilitator.  Ruth is a GA grad herself and has been an amazing addition to the team! A New York native, Ruth is a Mom of two and it was her 14-year-old daughter, Mia, who […]

A bird’s-eye view of last week’s Monday evening food pantry at Benton Heights Presbyterian Church which served a near-record breaking 132 families!! (The record for this location is 142 families). So many families needing food! THIS IS WHY WE WALK! The 9th annual Common Heart Hunger Walk is Sunday (March […]

Look at this amazing group of kind folks ready to deliver groceries (and hope!) once a month! We had an amazing Cupboard Ally volunteer training session last month.  For Danny Thompson, this is a chance to “give back” on a more regular basis after being introduced to Common Heart this year delivering […]

Could you survive one month living in poverty? Find out Friday, Feb. 21 from 10am – 1pm at South Piedmont Community College in Monroe when Thrive Union North Carolina presents a Community Action Poverty Simulation. Common Heart is a founding Thrive member.   This is a FREE event open to the […]