Barbara Rush (R), Executive Director with Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, spoke to Hickory Rotary about services provided to area residents in need. Joining Barbara was Colleen Anderson (L), Director of Health Care Services, and fellow Rotarian, Sarah Willis, GHCCM Director of Development.
Founded in 1969, the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that assists Catawba County’s unemployed, underemployed and indigent residents by providing crisis relief, support, and education, as well as health care and food. Assisted by 70 member churches, GHCCM also receives valuable funding from foundations, local businesses, individuals, grants, civic organizations, and fundraising. GHCCM is recognized regionally and nationally for its work and is noted by many business and political leaders as a model of efficiency and organization.
Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry assists Catawba County’s unemployed, underemployed and indigent residents by providing crisis relief, support, and education, as well as health care and food. GHCCM offers health care and pharmacy support to all Catawba County adults who meet eligibility guidelines. Financial assistance and food is distributed to citizens of the Greater Hickory area who are eligible. Individuals seeking assistance will need a photo ID, Social Security card (or equivalent), proof of address, Medicaid denial letter, and proof of income for everyone in the home.
Free Healthcare Clinic
GHCCM also offers medical service to eligible uninsured residents of Catawba County between the ages of 18 – 64 who meet 200% of federal poverty guidelines. (Residents on Medicaid or Medicare are not eligible for services.) The clinic’s mission is to provide curative, preventative and diagnostic medical, dental and pharmaceutical care or specialist referrals to Catawba County residents who do not have access to these services, through the efforts of area health care professionals and volunteers.
The free clinic is able to care for almost anything for which a patient would visit a family practice physician. Most acute illnesses as well as chronic diseases can be followed and monitored at the clinic.
Specialty clinics are available when volunteer physicians are available. The clinic offers limited services in dermatology, gastroenterology, gynecology, neurology, sports medicine, orthopedics, ophthalmology, optical services and minor surgical procedures. Also the clinic provides dilated eye exams and prescription glasses (if needed). Patients must see a primary care provider in the clinic for a referral to a provider outside of the clinic.
GHCCM Thrift Store
GHCCM also operates a Thrift Store which is a great place to shop for bargains in clothing and household items. The store generates revenue to fund services for GHCCM clients. Also, vouchers are distributed in the Client Services Department to those establishing eligibility or confirmed cases from Red Cross (burned out) or other agencies (abuse or women’s shelters) and families, particularly children’s school clothes for the year. Vouchers allow individuals to shop, maintaining individual dignity.
Thrift Store Hours:
- Monday-Friday 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Saturday 10:00am – 3:00pm
Drop offs for donation times are (10-5) M-F and (10-2) on Saturdays
For more information visit www.ccmhickory.com or contact GHCCM by phone at (828) 327-0979. Contact Barbara Rush, Executive Director, at Ext. 223, or via e-mail berush@ccmhickory.com, Colleen Anderson, Director of Health Care Services, at Ext. 254 or via e-mail mcanderson@ccmhickory.com and Sarah Willis, Director of Development, at Ext. 224 or via e-mail smwillis@ccmhickory.com.
