Share Change Community Program
Making An Impact In Our Community
The Catawba Nation and Catawba Two Kings Casino are committed to making a positive impact in local communities. The Share Change initiative is a way to fulfill that commitment from which our business is drawn. Through the kindness and generosity of our patrons who deposit their “spare change” tickets into Share Change containers, that are found on the gaming floor, the legacy begins to grow. Quarterly, those funds are gathered and provided to local charities.
The Catawba Nation Gaming Authority Board meet and select two noteworthy 501(c)(3) charities that perform valuable services within surrounding counties to support the members of our diverse community. Each quarter, the select charities are brought together to be presented with a check to enable the charity to continue to carry out their necessary services to those in need. Catawba Two Kings Casino, with the assistance of its valued patrons, are honored to be able to give back to the surrounding community and provide beneficial funding for those charities to preserve their essential services.
501(c)(3) Charities being supported 2nd Quarter 2023
Cleveland Community Cares, Inc. dba “Common Ground Café”
Cleveland Community Cares, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed to help overcome barriers to basic human needs of citizens within our community. Common Ground Café, under the umbrella of Cleveland Community Cares, was established to address the escalating issues of hunger and food insecurity in Cleveland County. Their Mission Statement: Common Ground Café exists to strengthen our community, improve our economy, foster local partnerships, and to address food insecurity by promoting health and offering nourishing meals in a welcoming and safe environment to everyone on a “donate what you can” basis. Families who find it difficult to pay for rent often struggle to attend to other immediate needs, feeding especially. Access to nutritious food allows individuals and patents the enablement to cater for other important tasks. Over 45 million Americans are unable to afford nutritional food requirements for growth and development, which is one of the reasons Common Ground Café was established by Mrs. Nancy Hillman and her late husband, Robert.
Rotary Club: Kings Mountain Rotary Weekend Backpack food program.
The Rotary club started the program 12 years ago with only 10 students at one elementary school as a trial run. Today the club is feeding 130 to 135 students each week supporting 4 of the KM elementary schools and the KM Middle School. The cost is between $2,000 to $2,200 per month depending on the cost of food which is steadily increasing. The club has typically held fundraisers to help support the program along with some donations; however, the past 2 years have prevented the club from raising funds to support the program, so donations have become crucial to the program. The club furnishes food weekly from September through May. The items that are packed weekly for each child consists of items for breakfast, lunch, snacks, juice and a later day meal. We do not turn any child away and the guidance counselors know they can add as needed. The guidance counselors select children in need and just give us the number at each school.