Press release from Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
Already this summer, the four ABCCM Crisis Ministries have provided AC window units, box fans and over $30,000, which has helped 160 households with 365 family members stay cool as temperatures begin to regularly reach near 90s. The impact of Covid-19 is being felt as the needs of individuals who lost good, regular paying jobs have increased numbers served daily at ABCCM Crisis Ministries.
“We anticipate providing 300+ families with AC units and fans in addition to utility cooling assistance this summer,” said Rev. Mary Massarra, director ABCCM Crisis Ministry.
“Being a fan for families in need, or being a fan for kids who are sick, is one of the coolest thing any of us could do,” said Rev. Scott Rogers, executive director. “After hearing about heart surgery on an 11-year-old boy in a bed with no air conditioning, is who I want to be fan of by putting an air conditioner in his bedroom. That’s what any us of can do, to bring the real gift of ‘cool’ to sick kids or the frail elderly in this near 90 or 90+ heat.”
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 to assist those in our community with basic necessities and life sustaining needs:
Cumberland Crisis Ministry
24 Cumberland Ave., Asheville, NC 28801South Crisis Ministry
10 Buck Shoals Rd, Arden, NC 28704Hominy Valley Crisis Ministry
1914 Smokey Park Hwy, Candler, NC 28715North Samaritan Crisis Ministry
403 Weaverville Hwy, Asheville, NC 28804ABCCM Crisis Ministry serves an average of 21,500 people 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 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday 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 the 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
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.