Electronic APPLICATIONS Available FOR all Assistance PROGRAMS.

Employment opportunities available

The ecccm thrift store, thrifty threads and treasures, is open on Monday – Friday, from 8:30am till 4:30pm.  Donations are now being accepted. See regulations Here

ECCCM is here to help!

ECCCM (pronounced E tri-C M) is here to help the community with crisis situations. A crisis is a one-time exceptional event that throws a household into a situation that may call for emergency assistance.

ECCCM helps clients with emergency financial assistance to enable a family to remain in their home, with utilities and heat. Additionally, the ECCCM Charlie Bunn Food Pantry provides emergency food, and various hunger programs are designed to alleviate food insecurity issues.

Typical situations leading to a crisis include, but are not limited to, job layoffs and unemployment, underemployment, unexpected major expenses such as medical emergencies or other crisis situations. Residents are invited to apply for assistance if needed. A personal interview is required with proper documentation.

To fully assist those in need, ECCCM provides case management to each family, providing a hand up not a hand out, that is designed to walk with those in need until the crisis situation is alleviated. Our goal is to return a family to financial independence. Through case management, and the Crisis Assistance Coaching Program, clients receive individual help, personal goal setting with action steps, additional budgeting skills, and referrals for obtaining additional job skills.

ECCCM: the body of Christ into the world — the faith of fifty years

It all began in 1968 when Rev. Banks Shepherd, pastor of Bethany and Smyrna United Churches of Christ, sparked the founding of ECCCM. A phone call came to him from an unsuspecting woman needing a new refrigerator and cook stove. On a hunch, he called other area ministers to learn that the same woman had already received these appliances. Clearly, the combined efforts of Christians throughout Eastern Catawba County could eliminate duplication and accomplish far more than individual congregations. Seeking guidance of God, through prayer, ECCCM, a Christian ministry, was born of local supportive churches in 1969.

ECCCM is passionate about positively impacting others in a godly manner in the midst of a crisis situation, and fulfills the biblical message our pastors teach on Sunday: being the body of Christ into the world. In addition to our supportive churches, ECCCM receives support from individuals, local businesses and foundations.

ECCCM serves all of eastern Catawba County outside of Hickory zip codes 28601 & 28602 (ECCCM service area), providing emergency financial assistance for mortgage and rent payments, assistance with utility bills, fuel oil and kerosene purchases, and life-necessary pharmaceuticals. Our food assistance programs now serve all of Catawba County. In addition, ECCCM provides emergency food and clothing to those in need.

The Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers serve those who come for assistance knowing that through the services provided ECCCM is fulfilling the gospel message.