The UUFH Social Justice Outreach Team met on April 8 via Zoom. Under the present COVID-19 pandemic conditions we agreed that, however painful the decision, we must cancel or postpone most of our activities through June. The two remaining Outreach Collections (Creation Care Alliance and for Housing Assistance Corporation/Habitat) originally planned for May and June will both be postponed for now. In lieu of contributions to these Collections, team members urge Fellowship members and friends to make generous donations to local charities. Many in our community are in great need in more normal times but the added stress of COVID-19 has these and many other individuals and families desperate for help.
Please consider donations directly to any or all the following 3 groups which are focused on immediate needs for food and other basic necessities:
The Henderson County NAACP has joined a coalition to support local efforts to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on our citizens. A primary need is to assure food is available to those in need. Local food banks are under stress. There is a great need for supplementary funds to replenish food bank stores.
HC NAACP urges members and friends to contribute to this effort. The need is urgent and will continue for some period of time. Mark your donation check “for Covid-19” and mail it to HC NAACP, Suite 11, 318 N. Main St., Hendersonville, NC 28792.
The Western North Carolina Workers Center serves Latinx immigrant worker communities in WNC. Disruptions throughout our food production and distribution systems mean that many workers have been laid-off from their jobs or had their hours significantly cut. Undocumented immigrant homes now experience far greater tensions of isolation and loneliness on top of job losses and uncertainty. Undocumented immigrant workers are not eligible for benefits such as unemployment insurance or the federal stimulus checks.
The Western North Carolina Workers’ Center has created a rapid response fund to raise $50,000 to help immigrant workers in WNC who do not qualify for unemployment benefits or the government stimulus benefits and who have lost their job or have had their working hours significantly reduced. The link below contains information about the campaign and how to donate.
https://wncworkerscenter.org/rapid-response-fund-for-immigrant-workers-in-wnc/
Interfaith Assistance Ministry assists members of our community experiencing crisis with basic needs for food, personal hygiene, and clothing. IAM is seeking cash donations. They urgently need food items such as canned goods, peanut butter and jelly, noodles and rice and hygiene/toiletry items such as toothpaste and brushes, deodorant, and toilet paper. See the IAM website (iamhendersoncounty.org) for a more complete list of current needs as well as location and drop off information.