Our Vision
Create a small revolution of kindness in our community to eradicate food insecurity and eliminate generational poverty.
Food Insecurity
Traditional Pantries
We offer four pantries each week featuring government commodities through the USDA program known as The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). In addition, we provide fresh produce, meat, and baked goods. Families must live in Union County, NC residents and qualify under this government program to receive food. We offer four traditional pantry locations: Monday evenings in Hemby Bridge at Mill Grove United Methodist Church and Benton Heights Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Tuesdays at Wingate Baptist Church in Wingate, and Thursdays at Union United Methodist Church in Wesley Chapel. Union County residents can go to one of these pantries once per calendar month.
Mobile Pantries
Our on-the-go, mobile pantries for Union County residents are held throughout the year in partnership with the Community Shelter of Union County, Amazing Grace Lutheran Church/Mineral Springs United Methodist Church in Waxhaw, and Liberty Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Wesley Chapel.
Common Cupboard
Our relationship-based pantry operates out of our locations in Indian Trail and Marshville. It provides an opportunity for your family, church or business to serve a hungry neighbor by delivering a practical demonstration of God’s love in the form of a week’s worth of groceries. The family in need can be from anywhere in the region as long as you are willing to deliver the groceries. Our goal is to maintain relationships and encourage new transformative ones through one-on-one serving.
Economic Empowerment
Getting Ahead
A 17-week investigation into poverty, our lives, and our community. Participants work together in a focus/empowerment work group to discover together what it takes to move their families into a more stable and prosperous life. Their investigations also prepare them to become leaders for change in our community and members of Advocates for Change.
Stability and Growth
A series of courses designed to build the resources and break down the barriers uncovered during Getting Ahead. These courses are designed specifically for families who have struggled with generational poverty and build upon the problem solving skills that these household leaders already possess.
Advocates for Change
Advocates for Change brings together community members from poverty, middle class, and wealth to build relationships, stabilize families and plot a new future story for Union County.
Community Workshops and other Services
Poverty Simulation
Members of Advocates for Change offer poverty simulations to organizations, churches, schools, and in our community to help us walk in the experience of those who live at or near poverty.
Free Tax Services
Offered only during Tax season and in partnership with the IRS VITA program and Community Link of Charlotte, trained and certified Common Heart volunteers prepare taxes for low to moderate income families at our facilities.