2024 IMPACT REPORT
MISSION & VALUES
At Dorcas Ministries, we help our neighbors thrive by providing financial and food assistance, training and coaching, client advocacy, a platform for people to make a difference, and a bestin-class thrift shop for our community.
COMPASSION DIGNITY INNOVATION STEWARDSHIP
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Andy Ferrell
Board Chair
Gordon Sinclair Vice Chair
Barbara Bostian
Secretary
Bryan Huffman
Treasurer
Tamara Bowles
Bob Bradley
Dr. Mycal Brickhouse
Michelle Duffy
Tom Gebbia
Sasha Gomez
Don Hamilton
Carol Himes
Robyn Powell
Scott Schneider
Anne Shambley
Sue Stevens
Lynette Yawn
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
André Anthony
Chief Executive Officer
Erica Brower
Executive Assistant to the CEO & Board Liaison
Karen Eck
Senior Director of Community Services
Alger Faber
Chief Financial Officer
Mark Helwig
Vice President of Operations
Shelley Hobbs
Senior Director of Marketing & Communication
Atoya Hodges
Executive Director, Western Wake Crisis Ministry
Leigh Ann Miller
Senior Director of Philanthropy & Strategic Partnerships
Barbara Settle
Senior Director of Finance
Jill Straight
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
Dear Dorcas Community,
Reflecting on this past year, we are filled with gratitude and deep appreciation. Each day, we witness the genuine kindness and steadfast dedication of our staff, volunteers, donors, board of directors, and community partners. Because of you, we can stand in the gap for our neighbors who need us most. Every donation, every volunteer hour, and every item purchased in the Thrift Shop makes an impact.
In 2024, the need was greater than ever. We processed a record number of applications, with our highest month reaching 500 requests for assistance. Behind every application is a person—a neighbor, a family, a child—seeking stability, hope, and the reassurance that they are not alone. A staggering 27% of these requests were for food assistance, a reminder that even the most basic necessities remain out of reach for so many.
Across the nation, homelessness has risen by 18%, and the rising cost of living continues to weigh heavily on families. These numbers are more than statistics; they represent real people in our community—parents working tirelessly to keep food on the table, seniors choosing between medication and groceries, and neighbors seeking a path forward after unexpected hardship.
But in the face of these challenges, there is something even more significant: the power of a caring community. Because of you, we provide food for the hungry, support for those in crisis, and dignity for those who feel forgotten. Your generosity fuels our mission, and your compassion changes lives.
As we move forward, we can continue to be a source of hope and support for our community. No one should have to struggle alone; thanks to you, they don’t have to. Let’s keep showing up strong and help our neighbors thrive.
With gratitude,
André Anthony Andy Ferrell Chief Executive Officer Board Chair
SERVING MORE IN ‘24
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
5.9k neighbors impacted
22k services provided
Lauren’s Story
2k families served
$2.6M+ assistance provided
Lauren had a good job at a bank when her daughter was suddenly hospitalized, forcing her to take time off to care for her child. When her daughter’s condition stabilized and Lauren returned to work, she was unexpectedly terminated. With no job and mounting bills, she found herself at a crossroads.
Instead of letting despair take over, she sought assistance at Dorcas, where she received help with her rent, enrolled in our Job Search Essentials class, and participated in our case management program. Through the skills she learned and the support she received, Lauren secured a new job and regained her confidence. Today, she’s back on her feet and on a path to a brighter future for both herself and her daughter!
Crisis Financial Assistance
Dorcas Pantry
Volunteering
THE IMPACT OF YOUR DONATIONS
Average of 426 applications for assistance each month
Average 354 food pantry visits each month
Average rent payment: $1,319
41 families temporarily housed through our emergency shelter program
876 neighbors impacted through workforce development
44% of those who received our services were children
Office 365 Cohort Graduation
SERVING MORE IN ‘24
RETAIL OPERATIONS
$4.4M+
total revenue
1.5M+ items sold
VOLUNTEERISM
1,028(as of 12/31) active volunteers
PHILANTHROPY
$1,595,319
105,668 volunteer hours
235 cars drop off donations daily
$1.9M+ value of volunteer time
total philanthropic support
This includes a $500k grant from the Town of Cary
DORCAS + WWCM MERGER
Dorcas Ministries and Western Wake Crisis Ministry officially merged in January to expand and enhance community services. This exciting step will strengthen support for food security, housing stabilization, workforce development, and emergency assistance. By combining efforts, we’ll serve more families and make an even greater impact. We are committed to helping even more neighbors thrive in 2025!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE YEAR
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
• GoCary kiosk was installed in our Community Support Center
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
• Stable Homes Cary partnership with Town of Cary
• Cary Chamber Eye Opener BreakfastPresented alongside The Carying Place
• Christ the King Feed the Need
• Community Pet Day
• Turkey Palooza
• Christmas Extravaganza
• Snow4Food
• Cary Christmas Parade
CAMPAIGNS & FUNDRAISING EVENTS
• Love Your Neighbor
• 56th Birthday Bash
• Dinking for Dorcas Pickleball Tournament
• Christmas in July Community Food Drive
• NC Courage Faith and Family Night
• Annual Thanksgiving Breakfast
• Season of Giving
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COHORTS
• Biowork Cohort
• Office 365
• ESL AWARDS
• Maggy Awards for Best Nonprofit and Best Resale Clothing
• Cary Chamber Nonprofit of the Year Award
• Teen Board - Young Philanthropists of the Year
Go Cary Kiosk
Cary Chamber Eye Opener Breakfast
Annual Thanksgiving Breakfast
Maggy Awards