"Adopt A Family" applications up in Cabarrus, Rowan | Community Spirit

CONCORD - Families struggling to meet their financial obligations are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet. Many live paycheck to paycheck. This year, a record number of applications have come in for the Cooperative Christian Ministry Adopt-A-Family program. So far, the program has received 188 applications – a 25 percent increase from last year’s applicants.

An arm of the Empty Stocking Fund organized in conjunction with the Cannon Memorial YMCA in Kannapolis, the Adopt-A-Family program helps to ensure families struggling during the holidays have clothing, gifts and even heat during the holidays. Families are referred to the program through an application process at local schools. Once applications are received, the needs are evaluated by CCM staff. Specific needs are identified (clothing, toys or Christmas gifts, utilities, etc.) and families are matched with members of the community who have expressed an interest in adopting those families.

“Families are already struggling to meet their bills,” says Lorie Williams, volunteer coordinator for CCM and organizer of the Adopt-A-Family program. “There may not be any money left for Christmas.”

Last year, 141 needy families applied and qualified for the Adopt-A-Family program, but only 134 were adopted, including 424 children. This year, the need is even greater, with 188 applicants so far, with more applications coming in daily.

“Corporations, small businesses, churches and individuals have been our partners in this heartwarming service to the community to provide gifts and necessities for families in need during the holiday season for more than 30 years,” says Williams. “We anticipate the need to be even greater this year because of the impact of the economy.”

To adopt a family through the program, call Williams at 704-490-4245 or email her at lwilliams@cooperativeministry.com. If you can’t adopt an entire family, consider other ways to help during the holiday season. Donate to the Fuel Fund online at www.cooperativeministry.com, or by mailing a check to Cooperative Christian Ministry, c/o Fuel Fund, PO Box 1717, Concord, NC 28026-1717. Donate toys to the Cannon Memorial YMCA Toy Closet in Kannapolis. You can also bring gift cards from local stores to the Crisis Center, 246 Country Club Drive, Concord, in care of Williams. Please do not mail gift cards.

ABOUT COOPERATIVE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY: The mission of Cooperative Christian Ministry is to provide immediate assistance to members of our community who are experiencing crisis in the areas of food, shelter or finances, while providing them access to resources that will empower them to move beyond crisis.