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ABCCM’s annual cooling drive faces some real challenges this year. Early high temperatures, inflation, gas and food price increases are cutting into family budgets, with the neediest families being hit hardest. Last year the program still had A/C units and fans left over, but this year requests have increased dramatically. ABCCM crisis sites opened the year with some fans, but no A/Cs.
In May ABCCM Crisis Ministry purchased 100 A/C window units and 80 box fans totaling $13,210, for area residents in need. Rev. Mary Messarra, Director of ABCCM Crisis Ministry, said, “We are continuing to serve those most vulnerable: Moms with children, the elderly, disabled, and those with medical conditions that the heat would exacerbate, and we will distribute them to those who qualify, while supplies last.”
Due to the early onset of high temperatures, ABCCM already has provided:
- $8,000 in utility assistance for May and June for 40 families
- A/C units for 115 families
- Fans for 100 families
“I remember last summer, we helped a young mother with an A/C unit,” Rev. Messarra said. “She had a newborn that was asthmatic and they were living in an apartment without central air. She was very excited to get this much-needed resource that helped them get through those hot summer days. She was so thankful, and it relieved the worry she was having over keeping her new baby comfortable and stable.”
Most of us take air conditioning for granted at work, in our car and at home, but we all know how bad it is without it. ABCCM asks if you are in a position to help our elderly, families with children and those with medical conditions in need of cooling assistance, to please visit https://www.abccm.org/needs-of-our-neighbors
ABCCM Crisis Ministry supports our community through 4 locations. Please visit https://www.abccm.org/crisis to assist those in our community with basic necessities and life sustaining needs.
Cumberland Crisis Ministry
24 Cumberland Ave. Asheville, NC 28801
South Crisis Ministry
10 Buck Shoals Rd Arden, NC 28704
Hominy Valley Crisis Ministry
1914 Smokey Park Hwy Candler, NC 28715
North Samaritan Crisis Ministry
403 Weaverville Hwy Asheville, NC 28804
ABCCM Crisis Ministry serves an average of 21,500 each year to fill the gaps for families who cannot make ends meet, mostly by providing food and clothing, along with nutritious emergency food boxes/bags. Emergency assistance funds provide utility assistance to keep the lights and water on; as well as rental assistance which helps prevent evictions. ABCCM Sonrise Daily Bread provides hot meals from 11:30 to 1, Mon-Fri. at 1543 Patton Ave. The Crisis Ministry helps our neighbors meet the basic necessities of life.
ABCCM is a key community provider addressing poverty, hunger, homelessness and access to health care for the under-served in Buncombe County. For over 50 years, what began as a small collaboration of churches in 1969, ABCCM has played a significant role in meeting emergency assistance needs for families in crisis, visiting those in jail, providing transitional housing and permanent supportive housing for the homeless, offering medical, dental and pharmacy for uninsured adults, and veteran services for homeless prevention, employment and training and a call center for Veterans in crisis.
ABCCM is generously supported by over 300 congregations of all denominations and faith groups plus 5,000 trained volunteers. We provide emergency assistance to meet immediate needs to anyone regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or disability. We collaborate with over 100 agencies and 100 employers. While responding to meet emergency needs, we listen to the person to address root causes of their crisis, take steps to equip them with resources and information or skills to keep homes and families intact or restore lives in the community. We accomplish this through: Crisis Ministry, Jail Ministry, Medical Ministry, Veterans Restoration Quarters, Transformation Village, and Veteran Services of the Carolinas.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rev. Scott Rogers, Executive Director: 828-259-5300, Email: scott.rogers@abccm.org