October 2025: E-Newsletter
To get this newsletter sent to your email, join our mailing list here.Organization Updates
We are excited to share the launch of a new educational program at MHA: Tools for Wellness
Every other month we will begin offering GrowthMinded: Tools for Wellness pop-up classes for parents to help empower them with tools to support their children's emotional intelligence and mental wellness. Our first class will be Tuesday, December 16 at 5:00 PM at the Eugenia H. Young Memorial Library (104 Howie Dr., Shelby.
To register, please click here.
Cleveland County Community Food Resources
If you need food assistance, dial 2-1-1 or visit nc211.org for free, 24/7 help in locating food pantries, meal programs, and essential services in your area. Assistance is available in multiple languages. Find the PDF Resource Guide here: bit.ly/november-snap-benefits-pause
Boiling Springs
Boiling Springs Baptist Church, 307 South Main St. – Food Pantry
Calvary Baptist Church, 320 Old Boiling Springs Rd. – Food Pantry
Cherryville
Washington Outreach Ministry, 2007 Capernium Rd. – Food Pantry
Fallston
Fallston Baptist Church, 109 Circle Dr. – Food Pantry
Friendship Methodist Church, 111 Friendship Dr. – Food Pantry/Blessing Box
Kings Mountain
Central United Methodist Church, 113 South Piedmont Ave. – Food Pantry
H. Lawrence Patrick Senior Center, 909 East Kings St. – Pantry/Hot Meals, must be 55+ to join.
Kings Mountain Crisis Ministry, 208 North Cleveland Ave. – Food Pantry
Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 220 North Watterson St. – Food Pantry
Kingstown
Paul & Marion Ramseur Foundation – Farm Grown Food/Emergency Food
Lawndale
First Baptist Church Lawndale, 129 Douglas St. – Food Pantry
U-Can, 230 East Main St. – Food Pantry/Second Harvest Food Site
Shelby
Broad River Community Market – Fresh Produce
Central United Methodist Church, 200 East Marion St. – Hot Meals
Changers Church, 341 Hudson St. – Food Pantry
Common Ground Café Seniors – SMILE Meal Program (60+)
Council on Aging Neal Senior Center – Meals on Wheels
Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, 502 West Sumter St. – Food Pantry
Feeding Kids Cleveland County – Food Pantry/Backpack Program
Flint Hill Baptist Church, 2207 Flint Hill Church Road – Food Pantry
First Baptist Church, 120 North Lafayette St. – Hot Meals
Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association 1175 Wyke Rd. – Food Pantry
Hopper’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 415 West Graham St. – Food Pantry
Mount Calvary Baptist Church Community Life Center, 422 Carolina Ave. – Food Pantry/Second Harvest Food Site
Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, 198 Pleasant Ridge Church Rd. – Food Pantry
Salvation Army, 305 North Lafayette St. – Emergency Food Pantry
Shelby Presbyterian Church, 226 East Graham St. – To-Go Lunches/Pantry/Community Fridge
Walls Memorial Baptist Church, 2223 Elizabeth Ave. – Food Pantry
Zoar Baptist Church, 1740 South Lafayette St. – Food Pantry
November: National Family Caregivers Month
November is National Family Caregivers Month. In November, we plan to share resources and information about and for caregivers.
Established in 1994, this month is dedicated to:
Raising awareness of the important role family caregivers play in our healthcare system.
Educating communities about the challenges caregivers face and the support they need.
Connecting caregivers with trusted resources that make their journey a little easier.
Honoring caregivers for their commitment, resilience, and love.
There are 63 million adults in the U.S. care for a spouse, elderly relative, or child. 44.2% of them are between the ages of 18 - 45 and 42% are 65 or older (source). The average family caregivers spends about 25 hours a week on caregiving activities, and 25% devote over 40 hours a week (source). Additionally, a larger proportion of caregivers are providing care to multiple people, with 24% caring for two or more people, which is up from 18% in 2015 (source).
The financial and health impacts on caregivers are staggering. 90% of family caregivers contribute some form of financial support toward care, with an average individual spending $7,200 a year out of pocket (source). The financial strain of caregiving certainly adds to the stress of being a caregiver. 40% of caregivers say their caregiving responsibilities negatively impact their stress and 41% report low overall well-being (source). Furthermore, caregivers are at an increased risk of having multiple chronic diseases given they may end up neglecting their own needs while providing care for others (source).
It is essential to consider the ways we can support caregivers and their families in order to alleviate the stressors that impact them. While supplying caregivers with tips on how to take care of themselves is partially helpful, we must also consider the ways we can help them at a structural level. If you know of any current resources for caregivers, please reach out to us here to add to the list we are compiling for the month of November.
Upcoming Events Hosted by MHA
This list contains all events that are led by or in collaboration with the Mental Health Association of Cleveland County. You can also find these listed on our calendar.
Happening Locally
Here are some things you can do locally to help get you connected to activities that can support your mental health. All activities are free (F) or low-cost (LC). If you know of any things to do in Cleveland County and think we should include it in our monthly newsletter, send an to egrimsley@clevelandcountymha.org.
Events in Shelby
Every Monday, 4:30 pm - until out of food at Jefferson Park (801 Jefferson St.)
Wednesday 12 & 26, 4:30 pm - until out at Grover Town Hall (207 Mulberry Road)
100% FREE food - fresh produce and groceries
Cleveland County Mutual Aid Pop Ups
Next Pop Up: TBD, announced via Facebook & Instagram
100% FREE items - toiletries, books, clothes, OTC medications, etc.
Facebook group open to helping people connect with resources and help
Cleveland County Libraries (various locations) (F)
Thread Lightly (Eugenia H. Young Memorial Library)
Tuesday, November 4, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Makers Meetup - Sublimation Printing (Eugenia H. Young Memorial Library)
Thursday, November 6, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Monday Night Book Club (Eugenia H. Young Memorial Library)
Monday, November 10, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Researcher Round Table
Thursday, November 13, 5:30 n- 6:30 pm
Manga Club (Teen) (Eugenia H. Young Memorial Library)
Tuesday, November 18, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Vintage Treasures Jewelry Swap (Eugenia H. Young Library)
Thursday, November 20, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Craft-Time (Ages 5 - Adult) (Spangler Branch Library)
Saturday, November 22, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Chess Club (Eugenia H. Young Memorial Library)
Monday, November 24, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Teen Tuesday (Eugenia H. Young Memorial Library)
Tuesday, November 25, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
There are more activities and Bookmobile locations not listed here. To see more, visit the CCLS calendar here.
Expanding Your Toolkit: Support Groups and Trainings
Trainings by Partners
At the time of writing this newsletter, Partners has changed the way they schedule trainings. To see a full list of available trainings, click here. For more information or interest in scheduling a training, please contact: CETraining@PartnersBHM.org.
Support Groups
MHA’s Depression and Anxiety Support Group
Every Thursday, 6:30 - 7:30 PM
205 S Washington St. (Upstairs Conference Room), Shelby, NC - please note: building does not have an elevator.
Gaston, Lincoln, and Cleveland Brain Injury Support Group
Third Tuesday of each month, 6-7 pm
ComServe, 1541 Delta Drive, Gastonia, NC 28052;
Contact: Patricia Haithcox at phaithcox@comserve.org, 704-736-5307 or Shanda Daniels at 704-772-4291
Divorce Care Group
Starting Thursday, September 4 and meeting every Thursday through December 4, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. Meetings will take place at Calvary Baptist Church (320 Old Boiling Springs Rd, Shelby, NC 28152).
Meetings are free, in person, and have child care available on site. To learn more click here.
Online: Reoccurring biweekly, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM.
Access here.
Hickory Brain Injury Support Group
Last Tuesday of the month, 6-7:30 PM
First United Methodist Church, 311 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC
Contact: travis@crossroadscounseling.org, 828-781-0778
Postpartum Support International Support Groups
PSI offers 50+ FREE and virtual support groups for perinatal parents. Click here to begin your search.
12-step style program for emotional health struggles
Visit site to find virtual meetings
Know of an existing support group or want assistance starting one? Contact us by emailing egrimsey@clevelandcountymha.org to get added to this list or develop one.
