About Us
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United Christian Ministries of Jackson County, Inc., was founded in 1989 by a consortium of local churches. The purpose of United Christian Ministries is to help people with urgent physical, economic, social, or spiritual needs so that they can move toward relative independence. We provide a food pantry, personal and household items, and assistance with necessities (utilities, heat, rent, and medical copays) to residents of Jackson County. We collaborate with many local supportive agencies to help our neighbors. We are staffed by three employees and over 40 volunteers.
We serve about 10,000 clients each year and distribute thousands of food bags annually. The demand for assistance has increased every year.
Year Pounds of food distributed
2025: 244,422 pounds of food
2024: 236,184 pounds of food
2023: 152,000 pounds of food
2022: 128,000 pounds of food
2021: 76,000 pounds of food
2020: 70,000 pounds of food
2019: 40,000 pounds of food
UCM is fully funded through the generosity of donors - churches, businesses, individuals, and grants. We receive donations of both money and pantry items. Grantors have included Jackson County, Dogwood Health Trust, Great Smokies Health Foundation, Nantahala Health Foundation, North Carolina Community Foundation, WNC Bridge Foundation, Rotary Club of Sylva, Church of the Good Shepherd (Cashiers), Food Lion Charitable Foundation, WNC Community Foundation, Balsam Mountain Trust, and more.
Many local businesses, civic groups, and churches support UCM in two ways: with monetary donations and by collecting items for clients, such as canned food, shampoo, etc. The support of our community is crucial to our success.
Staff
Executive Director: Ann Selby Nicholson (aselby@ucmsylva.org)
Assistant to the Director: Andi Green (agreen@ucmsylva.org)
Board of Directors
United Christian Ministries is governed by a board of directors. This board consists of representatives from 15 local congregations and agencies, who are elected annually to provide oversight and support for our ministry. Each member serves a three-year term. UCM aims to have broad representation from local churches and agencies to help shape our ministry's vision.
Current Board of Directors
Officers: Josh Sutton, Chairman; Dwight McMahan, Secretary; Marcia Jones, Treasurer
Board Members at Large: Chad Cagle, Evie Caron, Jacke DeLeeuw, Karen Doucette, Frances Hess, Dwight McMahan, Peg Shafer, Annette Sutton, and Emily Taylor