Central is a big supporter of this local building program. An applicant for a home must live in substandard or overcrowded housing, have sufficient income to pay an interest-free mortgage, live in Cleveland County for at least one year and must contribute 200 hours of sweat equity. Three bedroom, two bath homes have been built for twenty three families. Our talented volunteer builders work on Thursdays and some Saturdays and are always seeking new team members. Current projects include the “Methodist Build” project in Kings Mountain and a new “Rotary” financed home near the new Shelby Middle School.

In 2008, Habitat opened the ReStore at 323 Grover St. where all kinds of donated items are for sale. The store is open M-F from 10-5pm and Saturday from 8-2. Donations and volunteers are always welcome. Call the ReStore at 704-482-6289 if you would like to help.

Habitat's website:  http://www.habitat.org/cd/kit/homepage.aspx?page=clevelandconc

Hospice of Cleveland County has two inpatient facilities: Wendover in Shelby and Kings Mountain Hospice in Kings Mountain. Both facilities provide end of life care in a warm, familiar setting. Hospice also provides support and nursing assistance for in-home care of the dying patient. The Watchman Program is an interfaith support group including many churches in our community.

Hospice sends out a monthly email to each supporting church with a wish list of needed donations to help with the care of patients and their family members.

The list is included in Central’s newsletter. A box is placed outside the 2nd floor elevator (Sanctuary side) for easy placement of items which are then delivered to the Wendover facility. Requests for volunteers and specific monetary needs are also shared through the Watchman Program. Central has remained a very active participant in the program----much appreciated by the Hospice staff, patients and families.

Hospice of Cleveland County's Website: http://www.hospicecares.cc

The Inter-Faith Alliance (IFA) is a charitable, nonprofit corporation that provides leadership and funding to shelter homeless men in Cleveland County. IFA was born from the vision of uptown churches and others who wanted to assume responsibility for Shelby's Beacon Men’s Shelter.

IFA provides food, shelter, clothing, recovery opportunities and spiritual encouragement for those who desire it by presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thirty five county churches provide one evening meal per month. Central feeds on the first Sunday of each month with the help of the Growing Christians and Cornerstone Sunday School classes. Your participation would be welcome.

Plans are underway to purchase and completely renovate a three story building which will operate 24 hours a day and allow the housing of more men. This site will include a police substation, a nurse’s station, kitchen facilities, job training and privacy for case management. The new facility will be renamed the Cleveland County Rescue Mission. Donations for renovations and support are needed.

Inter-Faith Alliance's Website: http://inter-faithalliance.org/

Every 2 seconds, someone in the US needs blood. A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood. More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily during chemo treatments. More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.

Blood donations help millions of people in need. The American Red Cross supplies approximately 40% of the nation’s blood supply. Central United Methodist Church partners with the American Red Cross by hosting quarterly blood drives. These drives are held at Central in the months of February, May, August and November. Giving blood is a convenient way for members to support their community and help save lives. One pint of blood can save up to 3 lives.

The need for blood is constant. Consider giving blood at the next blood drive and count on giving at Central each quarter. If you have never given blood, it is never too late to start. Watch for specific dates in the newsletter. For more information, contact Joanie Mabry at wmabry@carolina.rr.com or 704-418-5865. For more information about the donation process, please visit www.redcrossblood.org

Red Cross's Website:  http://www.redcrosshelps.org/clevelandcounty/

Through the generous gifts of our members, Pastor’s Discretionary Funds are made available to assist members and non-members in need in our community. Central, with thorough screening by local agencies, helped 120 people in 2010.

In the first few months of 2011, we assisted 43 people, with plans to help more as funds become available. Individuals are not assisted at this location, but through screenings of local agencies such as: United Way, Salvation Army, the Greater Cleveland Baptist Association, Inter- Faith Alliance, Abuse Prevention Center, DSS, and other trusted agencies. These agencies call us with referrals for individuals in need.

We have helped individuals with emergency assistance for medication, utilities and various other needs. We do not help with refundable deposits, bus tickets, motel stays, or short-term fixes that do not help individuals meet long term solutions. Our goal is to represent Christ in our community one individual at a time by being good stewards of these resources given to us to distribute.