HELP of Beaufort is celebrating its 50th Anniversary
The Challenge is out there….
HELP of Beaufort is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, serving our local Beaufort neighbors with providing Senior meals along with their free Wellness Pantry, clothing, financial assistance & Mobile Pantry. Many of you have been a big part of the last 50 years of caring for our community, and they Thank You for that…Great Job! For the first time in 50 years HELP will have a permanent home to serve our neighbors in need, a sense of security for our community.
HELP of Beaufort is a volunteer organization of 42 dedicated community people, who not only donate their time during open hours, but also do so much more after hours. Whether it’s sending out thank you letters or letter updates, tending their booth for fundraisers, picking up donations, or holding talks to the community, this small organization sure keeps busy. “Unless you’re involved with a non-profit, many people don’t realize what goes on behind the scenes to keep everything working smoothly, and that task is met by all of our hardworking and dedicated volunteers. Without them, HELP would seize to exist.”
Now on to The Challenge. HELP of Beaufort has recently sent out $500 Challenge Letters to local professionals such as Realtors, Attorneys, business owners and private donors. They are seeking assistance with their last leg of donations to complete their new building at 1600 Ribaut Road in Port Royal. Raising past funding through fundraising, donations, and TWO $100,000 matching campaigns, they are eager to complete this build without having to get a loan, so many of their future donations can be used to go right back into the community. “One of main goals with this build is to not line a banker’s pocket with interest. Once our building is done, if someone were to donate say $1,000, we want that money to go right back into the community for food, meals, financial assistance, or what have you. As a community based private non-profit, we’re so proud of how everyone has stepped up to support us, especially in the last 2 years with our new build endeavor. It’s so heartwarming to see churches schools and businesses do food drives, businesses stepping up to sponsor fundraisers, etc.…it truly is a group effort and they are making it happen.”
Their new build will be able to allow for the expansion of ongoing programs, as well as for the startup of new ones now and in the future. One of their new start-ups will be their 2200 square foot Client Produce Garden, which will not only give them fresh produce for their shelves, but also enable them to expand from there. ”With the help from area garden clubs and avid area gardeners, we’re hoping to be able to teach clients to garden, no matter where they live, so it will be more affordable for them to eat nutritious food. We can also hold Cooking Matters classes through the Lowcountry Food Bank, to allow clients the opportunity to try new foods and be able to cook them affordably.”
All of these programs are made possible through volunteers, fundraising, and community support which is why this last leg of funding is so important. If you would like to donate to The 500 Challenge, please visit their website at WWW.HELPOFBEAUFORT.ORG, mail a donation to PO Box 472 Beaufort, SC 29901, or drop in to see them at their temporary location at 502 Charles Street in Beaufort.
