Services
Rowan Helping Ministries is God’s love in action. We envision a community which helps provide for the essential physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of all its citizens.
Crisis Assistance Network | Financial Assistance | Food Pantry | Clothing Center | Housing
Shelter Services | Jeannie’s Kitchen | Supportive Services | General Resources
The Crisis Assistance Network
The Crisis Assistance Network gives assistance to clients with emergency needs such as food, utilities, medications, housing, and clothing. Volunteers work with staff to interview clients, assess their needs and eligibility, and determine available resources.
For more information please call 704.637.6838, Opt: 1.
To receive services please read the following documentation requirements:
Financial Assistance
There are two ways to apply for financial assistance for rental, housing, utilities, and medication assistance:
- Fill out the online application. Staff will review application prior to your selected appointment and may contact you for additional information needed.
- Submit an application in person at the Crisis Assistance Center, 226 N. Long St., 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. You will receive a follow-up phone call with your scheduled appointment.
Food Pantry
We provide emergency food assistance to Rowan County residents at three locations:
- Salisbury: Ralph W. Ketner Crisis Assistance Center, 226 N. Long St., Salisbury, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. No appointment needed. Clients are served first come, first serve.
- West Rowan: A Pantry is open in Mount Ulla at 785 Grampian Road on Fridays from 9-11 a.m. The Pantry opened after the West Rowan community expressed their concern for people in need in the West Rowan area.
- East Rowan: A Pantry is open at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 2570 St. Peters Church Road, Salisbury, NC 28146, 2nd & 3rd Saturdays from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. or by appointment, please call 704-279-5054.
- Homebound: Through a partnership with Project DASH, pantry food boxes are delivered to individuals who are not able to travel to us for food. Contact our Food appointment desk if you are homebound and need to have our Food Pantry boxes delivered: 704.637.6838 Ext. 116.
Clothing Center
Donated gently used, seasonal clothing is available for men, women, and children. Sizes vary due to current donations.
226 N. Long St. | Salisbury, NC 28144
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. First come, first serve.
Housing
Permanent Supportive Housing
Our permanent supportive housing program includes 3 single-family homes for those who require longer-term support to stay stably housed. An additional 10 units of permanent supportive housing on our campus is slated to open in 2026.
Assistance in locating permanent housing is available for qualifying individuals and families. Contact Cathy Wood-Romero at cwood@rowanhelpingministries.org or call Cathy at 704.637.6838, Ext: 107.
Ralph W. Ketner Crisis Assistance Center
226 N. Long St. | Salisbury, NC 28144
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Shelter Services
The Robertson-Stanback Center and Jeannie’s Kitchen provide temporary shelter and services to Rowan County residents who have no alternative nighttime residence. Supportive services are available, and an individual case management approach is taken. Shelter residents receive breakfast, lunch, and supper at Jeannie’s Kitchen.
COVID-19 protocols and shelter policies must be followed.
Robertson-Stanback Center Shelter
217 N. Long St. | Salisbury, NC 28144
704.637.6838
Open: 24/7
Jeannie’s Kitchen
217 N. Long St. | Salisbury, NC 28144
Lunch: 7 days/week, noon- 1 p.m.
A nutritious noon-day meal is provided to the hungry without qualification. Anyone is welcome.
For information, please contact Vicky Roth, Food Operations Manager, at
vroth@rowanhelpingministries.org or call her at 704.637.6838, Ext. 105.
Programs For Veterans
With 25 percent of our shelter guests veterans, we reach homeless veterans through referrals from the VA and connect them to housing.
Street Outreach Program
This program reaches homeless people who are not in our system, connecting them to resources and housing. The program has grown through a partnership with the City of Salisbury. If you observe need, please contact Dianne Bruce at 704.637.6838, Ext. 110, or email her at dbruce@rowanhelpingministries.org.
North Carolina Continuum of Care, Region 5 is, a state-funded collaborative effort with Rowan, Cabarrus, Stanly, Union, and Davidson counties to provide services to the homeless.
Eagle’s Nest Transitional Housing
The program consists of:
- Eagle’s Nest I – small, efficiency apartments for parents with one or two children. Parents are required to work, pay a program fee, and attend various self-improvement programs such as budgeting, counseling, and parenting classes.
- Eagle’s Nest II – a transitional housing program of six units reserved for individuals who are homeless but working. Residents must pay a program fee and attend appropriate self-improvement programs.
- Eagle’s Nest III – our newest transitional housing building which includes 12 apartments, 9 of which are reserved for Veterans served through our VA GPD program.
Supportive Services
Food for Thought
Originally its own non-profit entity, Food for Thought came under the Rowan Helping Ministries umbrella in August 2017. Using existing resources, we grew the program from 634 children to 769 in its first year. In a typical school year, we serve more than 1,000 students, with plans to target the 1,200 most critical students at risk of food insecurity, as identified by our partners at the Rowan-Salisbury School System.
For information, please contact Vicky Roth, Food Operations Manager, at vroth@rowanhelpingministries.org or call her at 704.637.6838, Ext. 105.
Life Coaching
Life coaching is available to all interested clients. Individual coaches assist in resolving difficult situations. The program builds clients’ self-confidence in effectively handling difficult situations.
For information, please contact Cathy Wood-Romero at cwood@rowanhelpingministries.org or call 704.637.6838, Ext. 107.
New Tomorrows
This program uses knowledgeable volunteers to provide shelter guests and the community with practical life skills by offering life skills, work skills, and financial management classes. The program stimulates public awareness and improves social acceptance of homeless individuals. We focus on our mission to educate and empower people to break the cycle of crisis.
Classes are offered Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Evening classes may be arranged.
For information, please contact Keven Yates, New Tomorrows Coordinator, at kyates@rowanhelpingministries.org or 704.637.6838, Ext. 118.
Journey Forward
For shelter guests only, this program offers guests the opportunity to rebuild employment skills and a work history, while serving as resident staff. Guests have the opportunity to gain valuable work skills while building their resumes, as they move from the shelter into transitional housing.
For information, please contact Keven Yates, New Tomorrows Coordinator, at kyates@rowanhelpingministries.org or 704.637.6838, Ext. 118.
Garden of Eatin’
North Liberty and Long Streets
Vegetables grown in the garden by guests and volunteers are distributed through the Food Pantry and used for meals at Jeannie’s Kitchen. Formerly under the direction of volunteer Steve McCombs, Garden of Eatin’ is overseen by volunteers from Happy Roots.
General Resources
City of Salisbury
Rowan County
Community Care Clinic
Meals on Wheels
Salvation Army
Rowan County Department of Social Services
www.rowancountync.gov/692/Social-Services
Rowan County Health Department
www.rowancountync.gov/256/Health-Department