Greer Relief and Resources Agency financial assistance programs.
Supporting a limited portion of both Spartanburg and Greenville County, the Greer Relief and Resources Agency provides both short and long term assistance to the needy and low income. A wide variety of resources and referrals are available, and the non-profit covers the towns of Taylors, Lyman, Wellford, Greer and Duncan.
Services available at Greer Relief include assistance with emergency winter fuel (oil), rental costs, food, utilities, and prescription medication. Case managers and volunteers also furnish referrals to programs and resources at other human resource agencies and charities in the community, based on an initial assessment of the client’s long and short-term needs. Not only that, but staff make it a point to follow up on all referrals to ensure that the client’s needs have been met.
The Voucher Program as well as Food Pantry Box furnish free grocery items or meals to people who are in need due to emergency situations. The items are acquired through canned food drives, private donations, food bank programs, or direct purchase. Then the goods, including vouchers, are provided for perishable items, as funding is available.
Greer Relief’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program provides immediate monetary resources for people experiencing a crisis. Determination of eligibility is based on an evaluation by a case manager, and benefits are disbursed on a first come, first served basis.
Depending on the availability of both government grants and private funding, the non-profit may help with the costs of paying for home heating, rent, utilities or mortgage payments. There may even be some loans used for these bills, or help with medical costs, such as for prescription medications.
VITA - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance offers support to the low income and elderly in the form of free tax help. This is for those who are unable to prepare their own returns. VITA’s trained and certified volunteers prepare basic returns and electronic filing to residents on counties such as Spartanburg who meet program guidelines.
Greer Relief gathers unused cell phones. Based on the amount collected, they will be distributed to low-income clients for the purpose of making emergency calls to 911. This service is free to those who qualify, ensuring that they have ready access to emergency assistance.
A fairly unique service from Greer Relief and Resources Agency involves them accepting donations of used vehicles for the purpose of providing free, necessary transportation for low-income individuals or families.
Additionally, the non-profit will try to distribute vouchers or gift cards to pay for gasoline. This is for individuals who can’t afford to fuel their vehicles, but also need them to keep medical appointments, get to work, or run necessary errands.
The School Supply Giveaway Program in Greenville assists students from low-income families with obtaining essential or required supplies. This program ensures that all students go to school equipped with all of the items, such as clothing or notebooks, they need to be successful.
Greer Relief and Resources Agency operates a number of holiday-related programs and services that help provide festive and enjoyable Thanksgiving or Christmas experiences for financially disadvantaged Greenville and Spartanburg County area families. These programs include some or all of the following.
Thanksgiving Meals will be everything needed to make a delicious, traditional Thanksgiving meal for families, senior citizens or individuals who might otherwise lack the means to observe the holiday. Home-delivery may be available to those who qualify.
Easter Basket programs will be special assistance, services, and/or events to make Easter fun and special for everyone, with a focus on children.
Free Christmas Assistance aid is for low income families with children or the elderly. They include Adopt-A-Family, which matches people who desire to provide a Merry Christmas for an individual with a disability, an older adult, or a low-income family, who would be unable to celebrate and enjoy the holiday without the sponsor’s generosity.
As part of this service, program participants assemble personalized holiday packages for their adoptees that include meals, gifts, toys, an invitation to a holiday party, a food basket, and other items. Also, hosted by a private donor, the Spirit of Christmas Party is a fun activity for children from birth to age twelve. Each child who attends receives a gift of basic necessities that includes a blanket, crayons, a coloring book, a spiral notebook, and maybe even a gift card.
Guidance from Greer Relief and Resources case management
The Case Management and Counseling Program has staff that partner with clients who are unable to arrange or manage their own care and other necessary services due to illness, age, disability, or other difficulty. Available services include development of case plans, evaluation, and coordination of the services. This will also touch upon treatment, and/or continuing care of clients.
Follow-up is available from the Greer Relief and Resources Agency non-profit. These will range from ensuring that all services are provided in accordance with the case plan and monitoring client progress to determine whether the services selected are having a beneficial impact or not.
Referrals are available from the J. Verne Smith Center. This operates as a one-stop human resource center that provides Spartanburg and Greenville County residents with information about programs and services at local partnering agencies. Some of the key partners include Department of Social Services (DSS) (call 864-848-5380), the WIC program (phone 864-848-5360) as well as Greer Free Medical Clinic (dial 864-232-1470). Other resources are available too.
How to apply for assistance from Greer Relief and Resources Agency
The Greer Relief and Resources Agency is based at 202 Victoria St., Greer, South Carolina 29651. Call the non-profit at 864-848-5355.
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