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INSIDE ▼ 3 ways to build financial confidence PAGE 4A Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 34
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Nonprofit hopes to raise $125,000 INDIAN TRAIL – Peggy Barrett needed help making her grocery budget stretch when she first went to Common Heart’s evening pantry. As a senior living on a fixed income, rising food costs became overwhelming. “It’s hard to get ahead when getting by keeps getting harder,” said Keith Adams, executive director of Common Heart. “Groceries and housing
remain expensive, while gas, utilities, childcare and everyday expenses leave little room when something unexpected happens.” Barrett went on to complete Common Heart’s 45-hour Getting Ahead work group and is now participating in the Emergency Savings Incentive Plan. Through workshops and coaching, she has gained practical tools for budgeting,
saving and reducing expenses. Common Heart has set a $125,000 goal for its Love in Action campaign to help provide food and support through its economic empowerment programs. The month-long fundraising campaign concludes with the Love in Action Gala, presented by Coca-Cola Consolidated, on Oct. 2 at Threshold Church in Weddington.
The masquerade ball-themed gala includes a catered dinner, live music by Flashback the Party Band, a silent auction and raffle. Several Common Heart volunteers will also be honored with awards to celebrate their service. Tickets for the Love in Action Gala cost $125 per person and $800 for a table of eight. Get tickets at LoveinAction. CommonHeart.org.
The Love in Action Gala is a masquerade ballthemed fundraiser with dinner and music. Photo courtesy of Common Heart
WHAT'S INSIDE:
Head of the Class UCPS tops other districts in testing, 3A
'The Odd Couple' Classic story coming to local stage, 3A
Plenty of Options Shopping center offers curated eats, 1B The Carolina Renaissance Festival is holding a job fair on Sept. 12 in preparation for its 2026 season, which spans weekends from Oct. 3 to Nov. 22. Flip to pages 3B-5B for coverage of this and other fall festivals. Photo courtesy of Carolina Renaissance Festival
Small but Mighty Mini Cans make the cool list, 1B
2026 Fall Festival Guide
Church donates 35,000 pounds of supplies to food bank INDIAN TRAIL – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated about 35,000 pounds of shelf-stable food to Common Heart. The delivery is part of a nationwide effort in which the church is sending 250 truckloads of food to 250 food banks across all 50 states as the U.S. commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the greater South Charlotte region said
the delivery reflects a shared desire to care for neighbors in practical, nonpartisan ways. “We’re grateful for the extraordinary work Common Heart does every day for our neighbors in Union County,” said President Bryan Jenkins, regional leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Charlotte. “As followers of Jesus Christ, we believe one of the most meaningful ways we can celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary is by serving alongside others and caring for people in our own community.”
Common Heart provides emergency grocery deliveries and economic empowerment resources. Leaders of the organization expressed gratitude for the timing of the donation. “This generous gift from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints will put food directly into the hands of thousands of our neighbors at a time when reduced TEFAP supplies have made it harder to keep our shelves stocked,” said Keith Adams, executive director of Common Heart.
The donation of about 35,000 pounds of shelf-stable food to Common Heart will help neighbors facing food insecurity. Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints