Harvest Center

The Harvest Center has served Charlotte’s homeless and low income families since 1992. It’s core activity is a hot meals program ser breakfast and lunch three times a week. More than 34,000 meals were served in 2005; 52,000 in 2006; 58,000 in 2007.

HC utilizes vans to bring those in need from throughout the urban area to its facility, a 15,000 square foot building with a commercial-grade kitchen and a basketball court that doubles as the dining area. A Christian worship service usually precedes the meal, since it is HC’s philosophy that the spiritual needs of the homeless are as pressing as are their physical needs. HC’s services, however, are offered to those in need, irrespective of religious orientation.

Excellent and nutritious meals in an environment of respect are HC’s entrйe to serving the homeless in a wide number of other ways. A food pantry provides bagged groceries to 1,200 families a month. A clothing closet gives clean, decent clothes to 780 individuals a month. Haircuts are provided free of charge.

To serve those who choose to live their lives on the street, HC has working relationships with several alcohol and substance abuse centers and administers its own group counseling. Four houses provide transitional living.

Since the food, clothes, and educational services are largely donated, HC serves thousands in need at a remarkably low cost. Its primary expense is personnel. This too is cost effective, since HC’s four salaried employees are supported by about 130 regular volunteers. HC is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation, and all of it financial support comes from private contributions.

The HARVEST CENTER
1800 BREWTON DRIVE CHARLOTTE, NC 28206 704.333.4280 (o) 704.333.4231 (f)
www.theharvestcenter.org