By Loretta Cozart
Kings Mountain Crisis Ministry (KMCM), an emergency organization sponsored by the Kings Mountain Ministerial Association, helps individuals and families in need in our community. With rising inflation resulting in greater needs locally, the ministry is asking the community for help.
In 2022, KMCM helped 2133 people with food. That is roughly 25 percent of all the people living in Kings Mountain. This year, 259 families got help with utilities, 128 families were helped with rent, 184 individuals received clothes, and 72 families received needed gas or kerosene.
Executive Director Lisa Harrison shared, “The numbers are double what they were the previous year, and we anticipate that even more individuals and families will need help this coming year. Kings Mountain Crisis Ministry is unique to our area. Shelby and Gastonia have nothing like this, it is truly an example of Kings Mountain people taking care of each other in the community.”
“The individuals and families we help are in crisis, and they come from all walks of life,” she said. “They are in need, and we are able to meet them where they are and provide much-needed resources like food, rent, and utilities – to help propel individuals and families into a better position for success and well-being.”
When the organization began, it was funded by local churches that pooled funds to help with the food needs in Kings Mountain. At that time, it was called the Helping Hands fund.
In the 1990s, the group moved to the YMCA at 208 Cleveland Avenue and began a food pantry, clothes closet, and financial assistance with rent and utilities.
KMCM is a Second Harvest Food Pantry and receives donations of fresh produce, deli and bakery items from Food Lion and Walmart. They receive canned goods from businesses, churches, and individuals holding food drives and donating food monthly. Local realtors leave door hangers, and many individuals support the mission through them.
The ministry receives funding from local churches, individuals, United Way, the City of Kings Mountain, grants, charitable organizations, and fundraisers. The City of Kings Mountain provides office space and facilities at the YMCA free of charge.
Those applying for assistance must meet certain criteria and provide all the following items: driver’s license or picture ID of all adults in the household, Social Security CARDS of all in the household (adults & children), proof of income/money received in last 30 days, copy of DSS Food Stamp Letter, proof of residency (correct name & address), and proof showing why in crisis - any receipts, statement, etc.
Anticipating greater needs from people and due to rising inflation, KMCM is looking for partners, both individual and corporate, to become monthly donors. For more information or to make an online donation, visit
www.kmcrisisministry.org.
The Kings Mountain Crisis Ministry is located at the rear, right side, of the YMCA building. Visitors can park outside pool area. The ministry is open for donations, food, clothes, and financial assistance on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Call 704-739-7256 to make an appointment. Items needed are clothing, and linens. No furniture or other household items are accepted.
Donors can call 704-734-5419 and schedule a time to drop off donations at Battleground Community Church, 309 S Battleground Avenue instead if you want to make donations outside the ministry's hours. They will get them to the ministry.