COLUMBIA—The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina awarded $50,000 to 29 social outreach organizations.
Established in 1996, the foundation is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System that addresses the needs of the poor and underserved in all 46 counties, and uses resources to reduce poverty through action, advocacy and leadership.
The following organizations received funding from the fall cycle of 2015’s Caritas grant funding:
Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Charleston — assist individuals in leading safe, dignified, independent and rewarding lives by helping them adjust to vision loss and gain employment. (Berkeley, Dorchester, Charleston)
Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic — a comprehensive diabetes education program for uninsured patients. (Charleston)
Birthright of Georgetown — diapers to disadvantaged moms and their babies. (Georgetown, Williamsburg)
Bluffton Jasper County Volunteers in Medicine — health care services to uninsured and low-income individuals. (Beaufort, Jasper)
Caring and Sharing — a walk-in cooler for food distribution to the needy. (Georgetown, Williamsburg, Florence)
Chesterfield County First Steps — emergency assistance to families in need. (Chesterfield, Kershaw, Lancaster)
Children’s Security Blanket Incorporated — assisting with the urgent needs of families caring for children with cancer. (Spartanburg)
Christ Central Ministries Columbia — replacement kitchen equipment used to prepare food for those in need. (Richland, Lexington, Sumter)
Coastal Rescue Mission — essential groceries to the needy, elderly, and food-insecure families. (Horry)
Community Kitchen of Myrtle Beach — funding to assist in the purchase of convection ovens to help feed the hungry. (Horry)
Daybreak Ministries — funding to support a crisis pregnancy center serving financially disadvantaged women and their families. (Richland, Lexington)
EmmanuWheel — building wheel chair ramps for those in need. (Lexington, Richland)
Family Promise of Beaufort County — assisting to move homeless families into permanent rental housing. (Beaufort)
Family Promise of Florence — services to help homeless children and their families obtain permanent housing and achieve lasting independence. (Florence)
Food Bank of Greenwood County — funding to support a food bank for those in need. (Greenwood)
Good Neighbor Free Medical Clinic of Beaufort — health care services for low-income, uninsured adults. (Beaufort)
Good Samaritan Clinic — dental care to uninsured, low-income patients. (Lexington, Richland)
Great Falls Referral Assistance Service Project — help with utility bills, medicine and food for the needy. (Chester, Fairfield)
Helping Hands of Goose Creek — emergency food program serving families and individuals in crisis. (Berkeley)
Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation of South Carolina — financial assistance program for adults, children and families with life-limiting or life-threatening illness. (South Carolina)
McCormick Children’s Home — serves neglected, abused and abandoned children. (McCormick, Abbeville, Aiken, Greenwood, Saluda, Edgefield)
Pee Dee Community Project — purchase computers for math and reading assistance to students in an after-school program. (Georgetown)
Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocates — support for a program that advocates for abused and neglected children by providing quality volunteer and legal representation to ensure every child a safe, permanent, and nurturing home. (Richland)
Roscoe Reading Program —uses therapy dogs and provides incentives and prizes to encourage reading amongst elementary school students. (Berkeley)
St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic — free medical clinic serving low-income, uninsured patients. (Spartanburg)
Teachers’ Supply Closet — school supplies to children in need. (Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester)
The Lighthouse Ministries — assisting individuals and families in financial crisis with rent, utilities, prescription medication or traveler’s aid. (Florence)
United Way of Greenwood County — weekend backpack feeding program for low-income children. (Greenwood)
Youth Empowerment Services — mentoring program serving middle and high school girls from underserved, disenfranchised and low-income communities. (Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester)
“We are pleased to be able to support these fine organizations that are helping meet the immediate needs of those less fortunate,” said Rick Mendoza, foundation board chair “These nonprofits are on the front line providing an array of services such as food, clothing medicine, shelter, and supplies.”
