Columbus County North Carolina assistance programs.
A number of charities, churches and government organizations provide (1) emergency financial assistance and (2) free stuff. A major focus is on housing needs, such as rent or utility bills. There are also free food boxes, clothes as well as other support, including medical or health care.
Salvation Army
This agency serves low income, working poor, and the unemployed in Columbus County NC. Some of the services provided include free food, clothing, cooling, utility bill, and fuel assistance. there may be some funds as a form of rent assistance as well as prescription medication vouchers. The church based group may also offer meals from an on site soup kitchen, thrift stores, and they provide holiday aid through the Angel Tree Christmas Program. This includes free Christmas gifts for kids or food boxes.
Various counseling and referrals are also available. Or students from struggling families, or single parent homes, can get free back to school supplies or sign up for backpack programs. Dial the Salvation Army at (910) 762-7354
Food assistance
Help Mission is a non-profit organization that runs an on site food pantry. There may be free groceries, personal hygiene supplies and holiday meal boxes too. They also partner with other food banks as well as soup kitchens.
The goal is to help reduce, or even end, hunger in Columbus County. The charity offers the low income food assistance and groceries. Call (910) 642-2724.
Southeastern Community Action / Four-County Community Services, Inc.
This is the local Columbus North Carolina community action agency. The programs they administer include.
Weatherization assistance program - This is a federal government program. Weatherizing a home in the community involves conducting an energy assessment of the home identify the most cost effective energy improvements that need to be performed on the dwelling in order to help people save on and reduce heating and energy bills. The Federal Government Weatherization Act provides assistance to pay for all costs up to $4000 to the homeowners for improvements, so in effect the program is free to qualified applicants.
HARRP - Heating Appliance Repair/Replacement Program - This program will either repair or replace air conditioning units, heating systems, furnaces, or other life saving energy equipment.
Rent help - The Four-County Community Services, Inc. have been helping residents in Columbus as well as Scotland County North Carolina for over 31 years. These rental and housing programs allow for subsidies to standard rental property in the community, not public housing.
Community Services Block Grant - This program can provide counseling, advice, and information on financial aid programs that can help people get back on their feet, and lead to long term success.
Job training and referrals is part of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program. The non-profit works to address the cause of the Columbus County residents hardship. This can include resources such as job training, credit repair, and similar activities.
Call the Southeastern Community Action Agency (formerly the Four-County Community Services, Inc.) at (910) 277-3500, which helps Whiteville and Columbus County NC families. Hundreds of families receive support from the agency every year. Read more on SE community action - Four-County Community Services.
General emergency assistance is available from the Columbus County Department of Social Services. This is a form of government support that is heavily based on income as well as solving a crisis. What may be provided includes grants for rent, utility bills, deposits, or cash loans as well. This includes cash aid as well as SNAP food stamps. There is also low-income subsidized housing.
Social Services can also help deal with medical needs, including referrals to prescription drug programs as well as Medicaid. The address is 40 Government Complex Road, Whiteville, NC 28472, dial 910-642-2800.
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