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The Elizabethtown Rotary Club heard from Anne Garrett, of the Bladen County United Way on Wednesday. The club also presented Garrett with a contribution to assist United Way with their ongoing efforts to help those impacted by Hurricane Matthew.
Garrett told the club that the Bladen County United Way office is located at 401 Mercer Mill Road in Elizabethtown. She said the new location has been a benefit for United Way.
“The last couple of weeks have really shown we can mobilize and assist those recovering from the storm,” said Garrett.
United Way has leased a warehouse from Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial in the Elizabethtown Industrial Park where they have clothing, shoes, toiletries and cleaning supplies to aid those impacted by Hurricane Matthew and its aftermath. Garrett said 600 individuals have come through the Criss Assistance facility this far.
Other areas of focus of the United Way is education, income and health
Garrett when looking at education, United Way wants to make a difference for child literacy. She said one way they are doing that is by providing backpack meals. She said the students can take the backpacks home with them and they have nutrias food to get them through the weekend.
She explained that if a child is hungry, they can not focus as well on what is taking place in the classroom.
Garrett said United Way also assists foster families.
She also said United Way helps Families First. She said Families First has a domestic violence located in Columbus County and United Way assists them with expenses to provide a 24/7 facility to assist those going through domestic violence or sexual assault. Garrett said United Way is also involved in aftercare by assisting Families First to provide funding to support these families get back on track through counseling and providing a safe place.
United Way also assists Girls Scouts of America through funding. Garrett said United Way assist individuals who have barriers so they can attend meetings. Those barriers could include things such as transportation and language.
“Your contributions to United Way are making a difference,” said Garrett.
She said that families who were flooded in White Oak were able to receive assistance with food and water through United Way.
Garrett said that all the people working with United Way of Bladen County are volunteer. She said there is only one salaried person and they assist with bookkeeping.
Garrett added that the Day of Caring will be moved to a later date possibly in December.
Following the meeting, club members visited the United Way Crisis Center in the Elizabethtown Industrial Park to help them gain a better understanding of the operation.
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