Life can change in an instant.
An unexpected job loss, illness, rising grocery prices, a house fire, a medical emergency, or simply having more month than paycheck can leave anyone in need of a little extra help.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone.
Across Upstate South Carolina, hundreds of organizations, churches, nonprofits, volunteers, and neighbors work every day to provide food, clothing, emergency financial assistance, medical care, housing support, and countless other services.
Whether you need groceries today, help paying your electric bill, transportation to a doctor’s appointment, or simply don’t know where to begin, this guide was created to point you in the right direction.
If this guide helps you, please consider sharing it with someone else who may need it.
Start Here
If you’re unsure where to begin, these two resources should be your first stop. This list is a work in progress and will be continuously updated.
Simply dialing 211 connects you with trained specialists who can help locate resources in your community.
They can help connect you with:
- Food pantries
- Emergency groceries
- Housing assistance
- Rent assistance
- Utility assistance
- Medical services
- Mental health resources
- Transportation
- Childcare
- Senior services
- Veteran resources
- Disaster assistance
The service is confidential and free.
One of the best online resources available is FindHelp.org.
Simply enter your ZIP code, and you’ll find hundreds of local programs available in your area.
Categories include:
- Food
- Housing
- Goods
- Transit
- Health
- Money
- Care
- Education
- Work
- Legal services
Many people don’t realize just how many organizations are available until they search.
If you don’t know where your next meal is coming from, try these options.
Food Pantries
Food pantries provide groceries that you can prepare at home.
Some operate weekly, while others provide food once per month.
Many offer:
- Canned goods
- Pasta
- Rice
- Beans
- Fresh produce
- Bread
- Frozen meat
- Dairy products
- Baby food
- Formula
Requirements vary.
Some require identification, while others simply ask for your address.
Food Banks
Food banks are different from food pantries.
A food bank is a large warehouse that supplies food to smaller organizations throughout the community.
Most families receive food through local pantries rather than directly from a food bank.
Community Meals
Many churches throughout the Upstate serve free meals every week.
These meals often require no registration and are open to anyone.
Meals may include:
- Wednesday night suppers
- Sunday lunches
- Monthly community dinners
- Holiday meals
- Summer lunch programs
Mobile Food Pantries
Some organizations bring groceries directly into underserved communities using mobile food trucks.
These events usually occur on scheduled days each month.
Meals on Wheels
For seniors and homebound residents, Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals directly to the home.
Community Share Boxes (Blessing Boxes)
One of the Upstate’s best-kept secrets is the growing number of Community Share Boxes.
You may also hear them called:
- Blessing Boxes
- Little Free Pantries
- Little Food Pantries
These small cabinets are filled entirely by donations from the community.
Their mission is simple:
Take what you need. Leave what you can.
No paperwork.
No applications.
No questions.
No appointments.
Most are available 24 hours a day.
Common items include:
- Canned vegetables
- Soup
- Peanut butter
- Pasta
- Rice
- Baby food
- Diapers
- Toothpaste
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Feminine hygiene products
- Pet food
If you know of a community share box we should add to this guide, please let us know.
Formerly known as Food Stamps, SNAP helps eligible families purchase groceries.
Benefits are loaded onto an EBT card that works much like a debit card at participating grocery stores.
Many farmers’ markets now accept SNAP as well.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutrition assistance for:
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding mothers
- Infants
- Young children
Benefits often include:
- Formula
- Milk
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
If you’re struggling to keep the lights on, several organizations may be able to help with:
- Electric bills
- Water bills
- Natural gas
- Heating assistance
- Air conditioning assistance
Programs may include:
- LIHEAP
- Community Action Agencies
- Salvation Army
- United Way
- Local churches
Housing resources may include:
- Emergency shelters
- Temporary housing
- Rent assistance
- Mortgage assistance
- Homeless services
- Domestic violence shelters
- Transitional housing
If you’re facing eviction, don’t wait until the last minute to ask for help.
Many programs have waiting lists.
Several organizations offer free or low-cost:
- Primary care
- Dental care
- Vision care
- Prescription assistance
- Vaccinations
- Mental health counseling
Many clinics charge based on income.
Transportation programs may help with rides to:
- Medical appointments
- Dialysis
- Cancer treatments
- Grocery stores
- Senior centers
- Employment
Families with young children may be able to receive assistance with:
- Diapers
- Formula
- Baby food
- Car seats
- Cribs
- Clothing
- School supplies
- Backpacks
Many churches and nonprofits operate clothing closets that provide:
- Children’s clothing
- Adult clothing
- Winter coats
- Shoes
- Blankets
- Interview attire
- Work boots
When finances become tight, many families struggle to feed their pets as well.
Some food pantries and animal organizations offer:
- Dog food
- Cat food
- Low-cost vaccinations
- Spay and neuter assistance
No family should have to surrender a beloved pet simply because of temporary financial hardship.
Older adults may qualify for:
- Meals on Wheels
- Transportation
- Home repairs
- Prescription assistance
- Caregiver support
- Senior centers
- Utility assistance
Veterans may have access to specialized programs, including:
- Housing assistance
- Food assistance
- Employment programs
- Mental health services
- VA healthcare
- Transportation
Need a job?
Several organizations provide:
- Resume assistance
- Job placement
- Interview coaching
- GED classes
- Workforce training
- Career counseling
If you’ve experienced:
- House fire
- Flood
- Tornado
- Hurricane
- Severe storm
Organizations such as the American Red Cross and local emergency management agencies may provide temporary shelter, food, clothing, and emergency financial assistance.
Throughout the year, organizations also offer seasonal programs, including:
- Thanksgiving meal boxes
- Christmas food baskets
- Angel Tree
- Toys for Tots
- Coat drives
- School supply giveaways
- Backpack drives
These programs often begin accepting applications weeks or months before the holidays, so apply early if you think you’ll need assistance.
Even if you don’t currently need assistance, you can make a difference in someone else’s life.
Consider:
- Donating nonperishable food
- Stocking a Community Share Box
- Volunteering at a food pantry
- Supporting Meals on Wheels
- Donating diapers and baby supplies
- Giving gently used clothing
- Supporting local nonprofits
- Volunteering at community meals
Even a small act of kindness can have a lasting impact on a family going through a difficult time.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m embarrassed to ask for help.
Please don’t be. Financial hardships happen to people from every background. These resources exist because communities care about one another.
Can I visit more than one food pantry?
Each organization has its own policies. Some limit visits to once per month, while others allow more frequent assistance.
Will I need identification?
Some organizations ask for identification or proof of address, while others do not. Call ahead if you’re unsure.
Can churches help if I’m not a member?
Many churches serve anyone in need regardless of church membership.
I don’t have transportation.
Call 211 and ask about transportation services or mobile food distributions in your area.
We’re Here to Help
This guide is intended to be a living resource for our community.
If you know of a food pantry, community share box, free meal program, clothing closet, nonprofit organization, or other resource that should be included, please let us know. We’ll continue updating this guide to keep it one of the most comprehensive collections of community resources available in Upstate South Carolina.
Because no one should have to face a difficult season alone.
