Inspired By Need. Driven By Hope.
Press features and news coverage of HopeMatch and founder Erin Blackmore — stories of hope from the Charlotte community and beyond.
See HopeMatch in action — from local news coverage to the story behind how it all began.
Third-party voices sharing the story of matching local needs with compassionate givers.
At just 27 years old, while working in Social Services, Erin Blackmore saw firsthand the families who earned just a little too much to qualify for government assistance — yet were still struggling. She founded HopeMatch to be a bridge for the people who "fall through the cracks," providing personalized support with dignity and genuine care.
By Joe DePriest · November 23, 2013
Erin Blackmore started HopeMatch with a Christmas bonus in 2008 — and a calling to match generous givers with families who needed a hand up, not a hand out. This Charlotte Observer feature covers HopeMatch's first ever 'Give Back' event, where families who previously received help came back to wrap gifts for new families — paying hope forward. The organization helps roughly 52 families a year through personalized wish-list matching of about $100 per person.
By Lisa Moore
What started as a Christmas gift-matching effort has grown into year-round programming: financial education classes, room makeovers, personal essentials giveaways, and the annual Swap Shop. This feature explores how HopeMatch takes a deeply personalized approach — because families need help not just at Christmas time, but throughout the year.
We welcome journalists, bloggers, and community storytellers who share our passion for uplifting overlooked families. Reach out — we'd love to connect.