wilkes

Cagneys Kitchen is in the old Mayflower Seafood building (Curtis Bridge Rd).

It would be great if the shelter could hold some kind of fundraisers to help bring in food and things needed. It really bothers me that they can't use a stove because of insurance cost. Looks like there could be some help with that.

I think the people in Wilkes County do care. I wish a transitional housing shelter could be here.

What we need is a "transitional" shelter. I had a "calling" to get one underway in 2008. I listened to the naysayers. I disobeyed God and have paid the price ever since. I had some connections at the time. A transitional housing shelter is different from a homeless shelter. There's structure and guidelines for the clients. They are assisted in getting jobs, learning money management, counseled, and generally helped to get back on their feet. It's not a place where you just go stay at. I so much regret not following through with what I was supposed to do. All it took was a couple of people that I looked up to telling me that it would never work. Now I see the responses from people who DO want to help. A place like THE ARK in Elkin is what it was supposed to be. That's been 6 years ago.
The first thing you need is a board of 12 people from all walks of life. A government grant proposal comes next. (This is the hard part). Donations from churches, fundraising and someone who owns one of the many empty buildings in Wilkes willing to let you renovate it.
Now I know that I passed up my opportunity to get this off the ground. In 2008 the economy had just taken a bad turn. I was fresh out of Human Services Education at WCC. Everyone there - instructors and students alike- said that I was destined to get it started. Strangely enough, I didn't want to work there myself, except for volunteering. It would have created several badly needed jobs in the area. It would already exist by now if I hadn't payed attention to people who only had negative responses to the idea. I just wonder how many lives could have been changed if I had followed through with the ton of ideas and dreams that I had at the time. I should have listened to the people who had faith in me and the idea at Wilkes Community College. Not family and friends who never had many encouraging words before. I learned to listen to that little voice in my head telling me what I should do and how to go about it.
I am impressed with the care and concerns of the people in Wilkes. I was told that they would never go for this idea. I knew all along that the people of Wilkes had love for others. I really believe that if I had ignored the negative responses I would be much better off myself, as would many other people that would have been helped by such a program. It would have helped families. I have to answer for not doing what I was supposed to do. Would the people that I had gotten to know then even remember me now?
For those of you who pray, please pray for me to overcome the negativity that has burdened me since and for my health to be restored enough to possibly attempt to make a difference in the lives of others. ♡ to you all.

Not a homeless shelter based on news article several months ago.. A feeding site only...

Where is Cagney's Kitchen?

Just goes to show you that GoWilkes can be used for good too. Great that everyone is so willing to help those in need.

It would be nice if they didn't have to leave early in the morning, no matter what the weather's like.

Speaking of the homeless shelter, isn't there going to be a new shelter open next door to Cagney's kitchen ? Sure would be nice to know there was a place for the homeless to go on this end of town.

Pix, email me

PixySt, what is AIG?

It's great to help others. Even the smallest amount can help.

Just left shelter from dropping off food. It was like a scene from a movie. Parking lot full, cars on side of road waiting to get in. Families carrying in bags and bags of food. Big bowls of cooked food, kids bringing bags of candy. Thanks for posting the need.

The Catherine H Barber Memorial "Homeless" Shelter recently began our winter opening hours. Hours are 6pm - 8am. Thanks to everyone who is helping with the homeless of Wilkes.

Thank You for your info and suggestions on the Homeless Shelter.. I have been wanting to help feed the homeless, but just didn't know how to go about finding them. I now plan to cook a meal every few weeks and also get my church involved in helping with the food items they need. So when you take a meal you usually cook for around 15 people? and I assume the shelter tells you when and how to deliver it. Thanks Again!

I do not smoke but I think some ppl are so addicted they would rather
Miss a few meals instead of going without smoking. Its called addiction.

Ain't got the first problem at all helping them and will be glad to roll on down and do it. The thing is, if they can afford top buy a pack $5.00 smokes and stand on the front porch of the shelter and puff away. Got to wonder just how much help do they really need?
If you need someone to give you food, stop smocking...simple two pack a day habit. That's a least two meals a day.
Dang easy fix.

very good cause for the community.

Have taken cooked food there before. Trouble is they have to leave at 6:30 in the morning. Where do they go when it is so cold outside? Can't bear to think about the lady with the 4 year old child leaving at 6:30 in the morning. And they cannot get back in until 6:30 p.m. Thats after dark. Sucks to be homeless.