Mecklenburg County and Charlotte St. Vincent de Paul assistance programs.
Venetians that are part of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Mecklenburg County help the low income, poor, minorities, and disadvantaged. They use funds to provide emergency financial help for everything from water or electric bills to rent, mortgages, and medical costs. The churches that are part of St. Vincent de Paul in Charlotte often serve free hot meals or give food, operate low cost thrift stores, help the elderly or disabled and give other essential items.
As part of the application process, a couple things. One is that Venetians (volunteers) will give an intake assessment that often includes a home visit. Also financial help for bills, or even free stuff given out, depends on donations and generosity from the greater Charlotte North Carolina community.
Financial help for bills from Charlotte St. Vincent de Paul
Anyone applying for a St. Vincent de Paul financial assistance program will also be enrolled into case management in Mecklenburg County. Together the two resources will help people understand, and gain the knowledge needed, for how they can move beyond their current crisis. This will not only help them pay their bills, but it will also hopefully avert the need for additional services in the future.
Anyone applying for a grant needs to be in a financial emergency. They also need to have such a low income and no savings to their name so that they are unable to meet their basic needs on their own. When found qualified, there may be funds to paying rent to prevent an eviction, money for utilities to prevent a disconnect, gasoline for work, medications for a serious illness or medical help, and more.
The case management process from Mecklenburg County St. Vincent de Paul will give one-on-one contact with a trained volunteer Venetian. Together they will discuss options for breaking the cycle of poverty and struggles.
Mecklenburg County St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry – Depending on donations, what may be on the shelves of the center includes the following: Canned dairy items, primarily powdered milk; there may also be fruits, canned meat, vegetables, as well as a variety of juice products.
Non-food products may also be given out by the center. There are more household supplies for families living check to check or who just can’t afford them. There may be free toilet paper, household cleaning products, razors, soap, personal hygiene items, and similar supplies. Or find other details on free food pantries in Mecklenburg County.
Breakfast goods are at the pantry too. Those supplies may be oatmeal and cereal, bananas, yogurts, and of course formula for newborn babies. Or the homeless from Charlotte North Carolina can also stop by for a hot meal.
Other basic needs may be offered as well. During the holidays, Venetians visit seniors, serve free Thanksgiving or Christmas meals, pass out birthday toys, and give other support. During the winter months in Charlotte, St. Vincent de Paul churches pass out free blankets, serve warm meals, and help the vulnerable stay warm and fed. Other assistance can be arranged as well.
St. Vincent de Paul thrift store vouchers – This is a service that Mecklenburg county St. Vincent de Paul may offer. The reason this is done is so that for those individuals (or families) who can’t afford to shop at the thrift store, they too may be able to get what they need for free (or a reduced price).
The program is intended to help the poor, low income, homeless, and Charlotte residents who are living in or near poverty. For those who qualify for a voucher (based on family size as well as income) they may be able to get what they need for their family or home. Some of what may be offered ranges from gently used clothes to furniture, bedding, cribs, kitchen supplies, school books, TVs, and more. If the item is critical for a family’s “survival”, then the voucher may allow the client to get it for free. If the item is more of a want, then there may be a low cost associated with it.
Case management services
Life Improvement, Parenting and Family Training Workshops – This service is available from Saint Vincent de Paul Society in Mecklenburg County and partners, such as the assistance programs from United Way and Community Action. Participants, coming from all backgrounds and living situations, are taught valuable life skills such as Budgeting from credit counselors, Home Energy Conservation from community action specialists, and more.
There are other sessions held by Mecklenburg County St. Vincent de Paul, ranging from Computer Literacy, Personal Health & Wellness, Resume Creation Classes, Employment Training, and much more. Some of the sessions have a minimal cost, many others are free.
Venetians offer many stability services. They help the homeless find shelter or transitional housing as well as get a meal. Drug or alcohol abusers can get free counseling services. Teenage or young moms (or pregnant women) can get support, such as formula, diapers, and information on support groups. There is also budgeting and financial management classes, workshops on grocery shopping and/or using coupons for unit pricing and so much more.
Applying for help from Saint Vincent de Paul in Charlotte region
There are a few churches that participate as noted below. Proof will always be needed by Saint Vincent de Paul in Mecklenburg County. When applying for financial aid or free stuff (like food or clothes), some or all of the following information may be required. All current household bills, such as rent payment and energy costs, from last two months; Valid drivers license/photo ID showing local Mecklenburg address; Proof of all household income (job, pension, disability, etc.) from last two to four months; information on debt and loans; copy of lease or mortgage or rental agreement; and also the staff will need documentation of cause of crisis, such as layoff, unexpected car repair, illness, or medical bill.
The Saint Vincent de Paul churches to apply at are St Gabriel Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Rd, Charlotte NC 28211, dial 704-364-5431. Or try 6828 Old Reid Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210, telephone (704) 554-7088. Another Mecklenburg County St. Vincent is at St. Ann Catholic Church 3635 Park Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28209. Phone (704)523-4641.
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