Burke United Christian Ministries pushes through setbacks to expand service

When moving from West Union to East Fleming, Executive Director Alice Horton did not expect the period in between to leave Burke United Christian Ministries without a home for nearly seven months. But pushing through challenges with delays, the nonprofit still managed to serve the community and is gearing up for a grand opening on Nov. 13.

BUCM found its new location, 576 E. Fleming Drive, in April 2024, and has since taken the 44,000-square-foot building, almost double the size of the previous location, to a new level. The building, which was previously a Food Lion, has been transformed into several offices, a large kitchen, pantry, and dining room, as well as a center for support that offers a clothing closet, de-escalation rooms, and more.

But it has taken some pain to get there. With delays in getting certain equipment, a lengthy fire alarm system installation, and a few unexpected items left to check off, required by the City of Morganton, Horton said she hopes BUCM will be able to receive its permanent certificate of occupancy within a matter of days.

Horton said BUCM expected to get the certificate a month ago after resolving a kitchen issue, but when zoning officials inspected the property, they required additional fencing around the trash area and the Chinese restaurant’s propane tank next door.

The city also requested that the yellow-striped walkways be changed to white striping. The fencing has been done, Horton said, but now they’re just waiting on the striping to tie up the loose ends.

“Super disappointing, if I’m honest, because I mean, we need to feed people, we need to support our community right now,” Horton said.

With access to food stamps halting on Nov. 1 due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, Horton said that now is more important than ever for BUCM to be up and running with full force. Now, Horton said that some people who wouldn’t normally fall into BUCM’s demographic are having difficulty purchasing food because they may have been laid off.

“There’s people who are definitely concerned about making sure that they have enough food for their families,” Horton said.

The ministry has been providing services to the Burke County community since 1975, and feeds approximately 8,000 food-insecure residents through the food pantry each year. The soup kitchen serves more than 43,000 meals each year.

Despite the challenges, BUCM has continued distributing food and providing thousands of dollars in assistance for essential services like power, water, and rent, because those could simply not be halted, Horton said. But during the transitional period, BUCM hasn’t been able to provide services that require access to the building, including showers, haircuts, a place to do laundry, changes of clothes, training classes.

“We’re not a shelter, but we were a place to go for several hours,” Horton said. She added that many regulars are missing the social interaction. “Lots of people need to sit down with somebody. We’re the only engagement they get. I mean, even people that are housed, we’re the only engagement they were getting, and they weren’t getting that.”

The new location provides not just more space, but improved equipment and amenities as well. The space includes a large flex room for the community to hold activities and events, a larger chapel, more office space for social workers, staff and partnering organizations to meet, as well as additional showers and walk-in coolers to help serve more people.

With the opening, the community will be able to access a much broader range of services, and BUCM will be able to bring in more volunteers. With no location, Horton said BUCM was having to operate with a limited number of volunteers, which put more tasks onto staff.

Another focus, Horton said, is opening the thrift store next door, though it may not be ready in time for the grand opening since the space is currently being used for storage until everything is moved.

For those who want to help BUCM, the organization is still $500,000 short of its $5 million capital campaign goal. Donations to the “God’s Heart, Our Home” campaign can be made online on BUCM’s website or through stocks, endowments, and IRAs, Horton said. Another way to help is by arranging a food drive and reaching out to BUCM to see what items they need.

The grand opening will be on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 4 p.m., with remarks starting at 5:30 p.m. The community will be able to take a tour through the new location and chat with staff and volunteers. November is also Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month, Horton said, so there will be lots of food drives, awareness events, educational events, and a candlelight vigil scheduled for the month ahead.