COLUMBIA–The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina has awarded five grants totaling $95,000 to nonprofit organizations serving the underserved in South Carolina, according to a Dec. 22 press release. The organizations included: Columbia Free Medical Clinic, Healthy Learners, Lowcountry Food Bank, Oliver Gospel Mission and Teach My People.
The Columbia Free Medical Clinic received a grant for $10,000. Primarily serving patients from Richland and Lexington counties, the clinic provides free health care at no cost to individuals and families have who cannot pay for services and who have no health insurance.
Healthy Learners, a nonprofit organization meeting the health care needs of economically disadvantaged school children, received $50,000. By working with school nurses and health care providers, Healthy Learners provides access to health care for uninsured and underinsured children. The program serves children in multiple school districts in Richland and Lexington counties, and programs in Allendale, Dillon, Greenwood and Georgetown counties.
Lowcountry Food Bank received $10,000 to help feed the poor and hungry in the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina. The food bank solicits and distributes healthy food and grocery products to nonprofit agencies serving the poor and educates the public about the problems of and solutions to domestic hunger.
The Oliver Gospel Mission, serving homeless men in downtown Columbia, received $5,000. The mission provides meals, shelter and spiritual direction.
Teach My People, a faith-based nonprofit organization serving at-risk children in Georgetown County, received $20,000. Teach My People offers a no-cost after-school program for 85 elementary, middle and high school students, from low-income homes, along with an eight-week summer enrichment program. The program provides spiritual nourishment, academic accountability, homework assistance, community service projects for students, life skills, nutritional education, fitness programs, SAT and ACT preparation, project oversight and assistance for school assignments, parental coaching and support and cultural enrichment.
“The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina’s vision is that families in this state have the resources to live out of poverty,” said Tom Keith, foundation president. “These five organizations are addressing poverty in South Carolina through their programs and services. We hope this funding will help strengthen and support their work as they serve those in need.”
Organizations wishing to apply for funding should visit www.sistersofcharitysc.com. The next grant application deadlines are March 6 for strategic grants and April 3 for Caritas Grants.