Special to IFN
Iredell Community Outreach Association (COAST) announced Monday that the nonprofit is revamping the services and offerings its provides.
For five years, COAST has provided community members with affordable quality merchandise. As prices have increased due to inflation, COAST has continued to provide everyday merchandise and household essentials at discounted prices.
COAST has also provided free food and clothing pantries for the duration of its existence.
Obtaining funding to keep the food pantry running for five years has proven to be extremely difficult, and in many cases impossible. COAST is self-funded, and does not receive federal grants or money to fund the food that is given to community members at no charge. COAST has relied solely on sales from its variety store to fund the food pantry.
COAST has identified at least 10 other partner agencies in Iredell County that provide food assistance to those in need. As a result of the difficulties funding its food pantry and the availability of food assistance elsewhere, COAST has decided to discontinue its food pantry.
Resources and funding will now be used to further other community outreach by providing clients and community members with clothing and other household essentials while referring them to other partner agencies for food assistance.
Beginning February 10, COAST will begin providing free clothing and household essentials to community members in need on a case-by-case basis. Current clients who have unused outreach vouchers can still use those for free food and clothing. No additional food vouchers will be available.
Those interested in obtaining free clothing or household essentials can ask the cashier or staff on duty for an application, which will be reviewed immediately to determine eligibility. There are no income restrictions. All that is required is an identification card, date of birth, and Social Security numbers for all household members.
COAST will continue to evaluate the community’s needs and will alter its outreach accordingly.
COAST will also continue other annual outreach such as donating to the local back-to-school drive and sponsoring hundreds of children with a meal and free gifts through our Community Christmas Program.
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Contact Joshua McCrary, Executive Director, at (704) 380-0203 or director@iredellcoast.com.