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Thursday, April 2, 2020
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Volume 86 • Issue 14
News from a neighbor! • Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
Thursday, April 2, 2020
YMCA teams up to get lunches to kids at public housing By Alan Hodge alan@cfmedia.info
Kudos to Gaston Schools for its Grab and Go Lunch program that’s making it possible for younger kids currently at home to have a lunch that an adult can pick up at places like North Belmont Elementary. However, what about the ones that aren’t able to get to the school pickup point? That’s where Stowe Family YMCA and others are stepping up and taking bag lunches to two public housing apartment complexes in Mt. Holly- Kendrick and Holly Hills. Last week saw the “Y” bus visit both complexes where staff members handed out bagged lunches curb service style to the waiting children. “These kids need us,” said Stowe Family YMCA director Mary Moffitt. ”We are giving out around 65 lunches every trip. The lunches are nutritious and include a sandwich, chips, fruit, and a juice box.” The lunch items which are being assembled by Hans and Megan Kanal of H&M Catering at 119 N. Main St. in downtown Mt. Holly. Like a lot of other businesses that depend on public gatherings for trade, H&M is basically out of work right now. “Mt. Holly Rotary Club president Mary Smith put out
Stowe Family YMCA staff members Kelly Davis, Meg Howes, and Mary Moffitt giving out lunches to kids at Holly Hills Apartments last week. Photo by Alan Hodge
Gaston County under “Stay at Home” order
Hauser named new president of Gaston College The Gaston College Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. John Hauser as the College’s seventh President. He will assume the position on Monday, June 1. “The Board of Trustees is confident that Dr. Hauser is the right person to lead our college,” said Brad Overcash, Chairman of the Gaston College Board. “He is a dynamic leader with the ex-
perience and the drive to help our College succeed. We are certain he will partner with our faculty, staff, and students to continue to develop the excellent educational opportunities available at Gaston College. Dr. Hauser will help lead our College as we support the citizens of Gaston County, Lincoln County, and the Great State of North Carolina.” See HAUSER, Page 4
a call for help regarding the lunch situation,” Megan said. “Our kitchen was idle and we decided to put it to use. The food comes to us from donations and we put it in bags. There are people way worse off than us and we wanted to help.” How long will the Y and its partners continue the lunch bag runs? “We started March 18 and are hoping to continue until the kids go back to school,” said Moffitt. “That depends on if we can continue to receive funding. This is about people helping people. Our community can be stronger once we get through this challenging time.” Besides the YMCA and H&M, Some of the the local businesses and organizations who have provided support to this community endeavor are the following: Carolina Family Spine Center, Hegedus, Hawkins & Stancil, PLLC, Adam Lee - State Farm Agent, Mount Holly Police Department, Squirrel Squad, Awaken Gallery, Jonathan Brackett, Insurance and Financial Services, Catawba Coffee, Mount Holly Farmers Market. Interested in donating to the mobile lunch program? Contact Mary Smith at mary@fortheloveoftechnology.com.
John Hauser
Last Thursday, Gaston County leadership issued a “Stay at Home” order for Gaston County residents, that took effect Friday, March 27, at 5 p.m. Gaston County held off on following what Mecklenburg County and then Cabarrus County did with similar orders until evidence was
present in the community that such a move was needed. CaroMont Health officials notified Gaston County leadership last Thursday morning that the first case community spread of COVID-19 has now been documented and the hospital system was asking for such a designation. Cases of COVID-19 increased from
5 to 11 in 24 hours. The order reduces the size of gatherings from no more than 50 to no more than 10. The order will remain in place until Thursday, April 16, but can be extended as conditions warrant. “We have experienced signs of community spread,” See ORDER, Page 4
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