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On March 18, 2020, at 1348 Charlotte Hwy, Fairview, NC 28730 at noon, Gentry Heating and First Citizens Bank will present ABCCM with a check for heating assistance. In partnership with Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM), eleven branches of First Citizens Bank collectively raised $5,132.10 and Gentry Heating, Inc. provided a $5,000 matching gift. First Citizens Bank along with caring Buncombe County residents also collected 136 blankets. “Knowing that our efforts will help to provide heating assistance for individuals and families in our local community is very rewarding. Our First Citizens Team truly enjoys giving back and making a difference in our community” said Greg Burnette, Area Vice President of First Citizens Bank
Their appeal for heating assistance came at an important time to help about 400 families, frail elderly on fixed incomes, those who are sick and losing wages. Their efforts were fruitful. “We are so thankful to have been part of this community for over 50 years. The people of western North Carolina have been so good to us and we feel compelled by the Gospel to care for those less fortunate. We are so excited to be part of this worthy cause,” said Duane Gentry of Gentry Heating, Inc.
ABCCM’s Executive Director, Reverend Scott Rogers said, “Strong community leaders like Gentry Heating and First Citizens are challenging each other, and all of us, to help meet critical heating needs of families in crisis. They not only inspire us but equip ABCCM with valuable resources to care for others like Ed and Liz whose fixed income could not pay for 100 gallons of oil at $400. Together we kept them safe and warm, along with hundreds of other families this winter. Heartfelt thanks from ABCCM to everyone who helps their neighbors.”
March 18th 2020, 12 pm
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) is one of the key non-profit organizations addressing poverty, hunger, homelessness and access to health care for the under-served in Buncombe County, serving over 50,000 individuals in 2019. Begun as a small collaboration of churches in 1969, ABCCM has played a significant role in meeting emergency assistance needs for families in crisis, coordinating religious services in the jail, providing transitional and permanent supportive housing for the homeless through 300 beds, increasing access to health care for the uninsured and medically under-served; as well as work readiness, mentoring and job placement services. We serve Veterans in 49 counties across the state. ABCCM is generously supported by 300 congregations of all denominations and faith groups; plus 6,000 trained volunteers that provide emergency assistance to anyone in need regardless of age, sex, religion or ethnic background.
