UC CARES

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

UC CARES (Union County Community Assistance & Resources Emergency Support): UC CARES is webpage dedicated to support information during emergency events to help Union County residents quickly find resources to either give help or get help.

The resources vary from existing, ongoing programs to incident-specific programs. Resources may include local, state and federal agencies, as well as private and non-profit organizations.

*Union County Government does not endorse any private organizations and is not responsible for content that is not on the Union County Government website.

Give Help

Donate, Volunteer and Other Opportunities to Give

Support Western North Carolina

Best Ways to Donate

North Carolina's Department of Public Safety put together a helpful webpage with information on the best ways to donate, volunteer opportunities, current challenges with relief efforts, and more.

Union County Government Donation Drive

Print out flyer with accepted items and drop-off locations.

Accepted Items

Baby formula
Baby wipes
Bug spray
Cleaning supplies (no bleach)
Diapers
Feminine hygiene products
Hand Sanitizer
Heavy Duty Work Gloves
Hydration packs (powder form)
Manual Can Openers
Non-perishable foods
Pet food (dog & cat)
Plastic Sheeting/Tarps
Plastic Utensils
Sanitizer Wipes
Socks (all sizes, unopened)
Sports drinks (powdered packets)
Sunscreen
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Toiletries/Sanitation Items
Trash bags (13 gallon or contractor bags)

We cannot accept:

Flammable Items
Fuel
Most chemicals (no bleach)
Used clothes

Drop-Off Locations
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Union County Sheriff's Office
Eddie Cathey Community Room
3370 Presson Road
Monroe, NC 28112

Human Services
2330 Concord Avenue
Monroe, NC 28110

*Drop off donations at the loading Dock in the rear employee parking lot

Additional Ways to Help Western N.C.

Monetary donations are needed most. Please give to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to help communities recover from Helene. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer, connect with an accredited organization.

Other ways to donate or volunteer:

Do not self-deploy to western North Carolina. Help keep critical supply lines open.

Additional Resources

Additional Resources

Have friends or family who are missing or unaccounted for? Text PERSON to 40403 to add your loved one to search and rescue efforts. Rescue efforts are ongoing and based on the severity of the need. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
United Way’s NC 211 is an information and referral service that connects North Carolinians to verified resources for basic needs, such as housing and utility assistance, food, healthcare, transportation, and more. NC 211 is a multilingual and confidential service that provides health and human services information and referrals through a free statewide phone number (2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from an out-of-state area code) and website (www.nc211.org).
Red Cross: 800-Red Cross
Crisis Cleanup: 844-965-1386
NC DPS: Emergency Management
North Carolina Office of the Governor - NC Gov. Cooper
North Carolina State and Local Level Referrals

For the latest information about North Carolina’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4827. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

For Businesses Collecting Donations

In the aftermath of storms like Helene, it's natural for businesses and organizations to want to help by donating supplies. However, an influx of donations can overwhelm recovery efforts if not properly coordinated.

Please coordinate through the NC Business Emergency Operations Center (BEOC) to ensure resources are sent to designated areas that are ready to receive them. Click here for more information from NC Emergency Management.

Thank you for your generosity and support!

Donate Blood

Donate Food

Volunteer & Other Opportunities

Are you looking for ways to help survivors affected by Hurricane Helene? The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is a great place to find trusted organizations that are helping the various communities. The best way to help after a disaster is through cash donations.

Union County volunteer opportunities year-round:

Get Help

* Please note some resources have eligibility requirements or are limited.

Behavior, Mental & Emotional

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
All Clear Foundation
Atrium Behavioral Health helpline 24/7 crisis assistance: 704-444-2400 / 800-418-2065
Behavioral Health Collaborative
Cameron's House of Hope
Center for Emotional Health: 704-237-4240
Daymark Recovery Services: 704-296-6200 or Mobile Crisis: 1-866-275-9552
Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
Enduring Care Counseling Services
Hope4NC Helpline available 24/7 for mental health and resilience supports that help build resilience during times of crisis: 1-855-587-3463
For Veterans:
- US Department of Veteran Affairs: PTSD National Center for PTSD
- Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 to talk to someone
- Text 838255 to connect with a VA responder
- Start a confidential online chat session
LaVida Counseling
Little Gerald Services
McLeod Centers for Wellbeing
Mental Health America
Monarch
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 800-950-6264
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Trained Crisis Counselor 24/7
NCDHHS Crisis Services
NCDHHS Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder
New Beginnings Treatment Center
Novant Behavioral Health 24/7 program access line: 800-786-1585
Optum 24-hour Emotional Support Help Line for people who may be experiencing anxiety or stress around COVID-19: 866-342-6892
Nurturing Parenting Program
Partners Health Management
Primary Health Choices, Inc.
Promise Resource Network is available 24/7 for someone who hasn’t reached a point of crisis, but is having a difficult time. It’s free, confidential, non-crisis peer support: 1-833-390-7728
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 or TTY 1-800-846-8517
Thrive Counseling Services
Union County Public School Counseling
Union House Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) Center 704-226-1517 Located at 316 I.B. Shive Drive Monroe, NC 28110

Emergency & Financial Assistance

Employment

Food

Food Programs (Union County Human Services)

Food Support

Common Heart Food Pantries
Community Shelter of Union County
Feeding America
Heart for Monroe
Loaves and Fishes
New Testament Baptist Food Pantry
Open Arms Community Outreach, Inc.
Operation Reach Out
Second Harvest Food Bank
South Piedmont Community College - Food Pantry
St. Margaret's Episcopal Church - 704-996-0192
Thomas Rogers Ministries
Union County Human Services, Crisis Assessment Unit
Waxhaw Baptist Church (Roundtop)

Health & Medication

Housing Resources

Insurance

Legal Assistance

Substance Use Prevention, Treatment & Recovery

Transportation

Union County, NC

Service Finder

HOW DO I...

PAY...

PARKING TICKETS

Popular links: