June 10, 2026

Challenge Accepted More than $320K raised to help shelter

A prominent local businessman said that more than $320,000 has been committed by sources to help keep United Community Ministries in operation.

“It was probably the easiest money I have ever raised — and it was the quickest I have ever raised,” Tom Betts said Saturday in a phone interview.

“And I got some pretty substantial checks, as you can imagine, to get over $320,000,” Betts said.

UCM’s mission is to bring hope to hungry and homeless people in the area.

The nonprofit organization operates a community center off McDonald Street downtown, which serves the homeless and includes a pantry and a soup kitchen.

UCM also operates the Bassett Center off Branch Street in the Southeast Rocky Mount area. The Bassett Center provides a transitional housing program for homeless families with children.

Roberson said in a phone interview on Saturday evening that he believes that UCM is a needed service in the community.

“The Bible tells us to take care of the poor among us — and try to minister to them and their needs,” Roberson said. “And I think that this is just an excellent sample of a community that wants to do that — and is doing it and has been doing it.”