Programs & Services

United Christian Ministries assists residents of Jackson County in three primary ways: offering a food pantry, providing partial financial assistance for essential bills, and making referrals to other local supportive agencies.

Food Assistance: Our most common request for assistance is for food. We run a client-choice food pantry that offers a variety of items, including canned vegetables and fruits, fresh vegetables and fruits, cereals, pasta, frozen meats, and more. Clients can receive food assistance as often as every two weeks.

Personal Items and Household Goods: We provide personal toiletry items, such as soap, shampoo, and toothpaste, when available. We also offer household items, including toilet paper, laundry detergent, and dish detergent, subject to stock availability.

Financial Aid: Financial assistance is available for past-due local utilities, rent, and prescription co-pays.

Other Services

During the cold-weather months, we distribute blankets and other items to help keep people warm when supplies are available. 

At Thanksgiving, we traditionally pass out Food Lion Gift Cards to residents in need. 

During the Christmas season, we actively partner with local schools to deliver large food bags to students from families in need. We recognize that Winter Break presents unique challenges, and our food bags address these increased needs head-on. Each year, we rally an incredible community of churches, businesses, and individuals who generously donate thousands of food items, enabling us to successfully fill over 730 bags. Together, we make a significant impact and support our students and their families during this crucial time.

Other Resources

UCM staff can refer you to various agencies that can assist you with your emergency needs. We collaborate with numerous agencies in Jackson County to ensure our residents are warm, housed, and fed. You can download a list of local resources here. For help with financial planning or budgeting, visit Consumer.gov to find out what you need to know and do. Additionally, you can download a personal budget worksheet here.

Listen to these podcasts for more about UCM:

https://lighthousesylva.com/episode-4/

By: Pastor Mark Rogers, Lighthouse Baptist Church

 https://stapelphotography.wordpress.com/hh

By: Lili J. Stapel, Journalism and Photography Student

Western Carolina University