Finding Help in South Carolina
July 10, 2020
The last few months have been hard for many South Carolinians. BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and its employees have been supporting community organizations throughout the pandemic. In April, we provided some ideas for ways to give back to the community.
We also know there may come a time when you or a family member needs access to services. The BlueCross community relations team offers this list of resources that can help.
This list is current as of June 15, 2020. Visit the organization’s website for the most up-to-date information.
Food
- Harvest Hope Food Bank: Provides five to six days’ worth of nonperishable and perishable groceries such as fruit, vegetables, bread, meat and dried goods. You can pick up at emergency food pantries in Columbia and Greenville, or at partner agencies in 20 South Carolina counties. Use the search tool to find a food pantry near you.
- Golden Harvest Food Bank: Located in Augusta, Georgia, it serves the western counties of South Carolina — Edgefield, Saluda, McCormick, Barnwell and Aiken.
- Senior Resources: Its Meals on Wheels program provides home-delivered meals to elderly, frail and home-bound residents in Richland County. Meals are delivered at lunchtime five days a week by caring volunteers. If you are looking for meals for yourself or a loved one, fill out this contact form.
- Food Share SC: Purchase a large box of 18 to 20 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables for $20 at a pickup location in the Midlands or Upstate. Boxes must be ordered in advance.
- Feeding the Carolinas: View its food bank directory to find a food bank in North or South Carolina.
Mental Health
- South Carolina Department of Mental Health: Offers resources to cope with the coronavirus, including managing stress, helping a child cope, working from home, finding a support group and more.
- NAMI Mid-Carolina: Find mental health resources, including warning signs, where to seek help and how to support a loved one.
- MIRCI: Creates pathways to recovery for youth and adults who are experiencing or at risk of mental illness and/or homelessness.
- Leeza's Care Connection: A great place to go when chronic illness, such as Alzheimer’s disease, changes everything. It provides support to those with Alzheimer’s and their families. Its mission is to empower families and help them cope.
Addiction Recovery
- The Courage Center: Provides a safe, supportive, recovery-focused setting for young people and families on their recovery journey.
- LRADAC: Creates pathways to alcohol and drug recovery for individuals, families and communities.
Financial Assistance
- United Way of the Midlands: Offers residents of Richland, Newberry, Lexington, Fairfield, Orangeburg and Calhoun counties help with rent and utilities, food, shelter, child care and physical/mental care. Call 211 for help. If you do not live in these counties, you should call your local United Way branch.
- The Cooperative Ministry: Provides help with rent, clothing and food vouchers for people experiencing poverty.
- Salvation Army of the Midlands: Assisting individuals and families with rent, utilities and housing whose income has decreased or ended as a direct result of COVID-19.
- SC Thrive: Its COVID Rent Assistance Program provides up to $1,500 in rent assistance to eligible South Carolinians who are facing financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus.
- In The Middle: Provides financial assistance to survivors being treated for breast cancer who are employed and/or have insurance, so they do not qualify for any programs, but don't make enough to pay for the expenses that come with fighting breast cancer. The organization provides gas cards, chemo baskets and monetary awards to survivors who are currently receiving treatment for breast cancer in the Midlands area.
Family Services
- Family Promise of the Midlands: Helps families transition out of homelessness by searching for jobs, locating affordable child care, applying for financial assistance and finding housing.
- EmmanuWheel: Provides wheelchair ramps to mobility-challenged individuals who cannot afford building materials and construction costs.
Education
- South Carolina ETV: View a list of at-home learning resources, including a schedule of educational programming. ETV offers education resources for parents, teachers and students of all grade levels.
- EdVenture Children's Museum: Share the Today's Play episodes with your children for art, science and math projects at home.
- Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina: Offers online resources for students including downloadable activities on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work and career readiness.
- Turning Pages: Assists adults who need help reading, writing, basic computer use, math skills, English as a second language, life skills and GED preparation These skills help achieve a more productive and meaningful life. If you live in the Lowcountry, check out Trident Literacy Association.
- Youth Corps: Unleashes young leaders to transform the world through the community. By partnering with the community, Youth Corps provides a life-changing, one-year experience of dynamic leadership modules for ninth and 10th grade students so they can be equipped to live a life of influence and affect their peers, their schools and their communities.
Children/Youth
- Palmetto Place Children & Youth Services: A safe and supportive environment for children and teens who have faced abuse, abandonment, neglect and/or homelessness. It also has programs for pregnant and parenting teens.
- Children's Trust of South Carolina: Can help you learn about the warning signs of child abuse and neglect. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please contact the county DSS office where the child lives immediately.
- River's Edge Retreat: Provides life-changing experiences to underserved youth in the Midlands. The organization accomplishes this by providing them with enrichment programs, camps and educational opportunities.
- Big Homie Lil Homie Mentoring: Committed to building strong, trusting relationships, positive attitudes and life skills in young males through mentoring and life experiences.
- Beginnings SC: Provides expert knowledge and individualized planning strategies for parents, professionals and communities to promote successful outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing in South Carolina.
Older Adults
- The Lourie Center: An independent, nonprofit, membership-based organization dedicated to providing activities and resources to older adults. Its focus is health and fitness to maintain independence late in life.
Harvest Hope Food Back provides five to six days' worth of nonperishable groceries to families in need.
United Way of the Midlands offers help with rent and utilities, food, shelter and other help for residents of Richland, Newberry, Lexington, Fairfield, Orangeburg and Calhoun counties.
Youth Corps provides leadership experiences for 10th grade students.
Senior Resources brings meals to elderly and home-bound residents in Richland County.
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