Greer Relief & Resources Agency

Since 1936, Greer Relief has provided resources to an under-served population challenged by generational poverty, lack of transportation, poor / limited healthcare, high unemployment, teen pregnancy and low graduation rates. Funding will be used to move those living in poverty throughout Greenville and Spartanburg counties from crisis to self-sufficiency. This occurs by first answering their crisis, be that a need for food, utility assistance, case management, etc. Once the immediate need is met, neighbors in need are recruited to the more empowering RENEW (Reaching Every Neighbor Every Way) program which focuses on job services, financial wellness, and healthy living classes to help neighbors in need become neighbors who thrive.

Our programs are a hand up rather than a hand out. Our goal is to help identify the core problems our neighbors face, address the issues together, and ultimately break the cycle.

Stability
-Providing access to resources helps neighbors eliminate roadblocks.
In-Kind food, personal, and household assistance
Rapid assistance for small financial emergency assistance requests
Case management removes the initial roadblock by providing financial assistance to shift from crisis to stability.
Thrive Hub is a centralized process to apply for programs SNAP, Medicaid, disability, and more.
The J. Verne Smith Center is a one-stop service hub for the Dept. of Health Environmental Control: Women Infants & Children program, Dept. of Social Services: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, FoodShare, Greer Free Medical Clinic, Greer Relief, & SC Works.

Empowerment
-An empowered neighbor is able to thrive and experience life in an intentional and purposeful way.
To help neighbor's thrive, purposeful goal centered plans are created together in case management.
RENEW: Reaching Every Neighbor Every Way is an education, enrichment, and life skills program open to anyone. RENEW is designed to help neighbors improve our community, through meaningful participation and sustainable living. ~Financial Wellness ~ Job Services ~ Healthy Living ~ Check the website for classes:  www.greerrelief.org/calendar
VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance operates February - April offering free tax preparation to the community.

Greer Relief offers services, MON-FRI through intake, case management, and assistance.
*Hunger Prevention: Offering perishable and non-perishable food to prevent hunger. No request for food is denied.
*Homelessness Prevention: Providing financial assistance to prevent homelessness. Along with financial assistance comes the responsibility to change from dependence to independence, and follow through with an agreed upon plan through action items.
*Case Management: Interviewing and assessing for financial assistance and frequency of need. Case management focuses on short and long-term needs, identifying resources, and following up to ensure that the individual's needs have been met.
*Benefit Bank: Providing assessment and online applications for government programs such as food assistance, health care, home energy assistance, plus more.
*J. Verne Smith Center: Offering a one-stop service hub for DHEC: WIC, DSS: SNAP, Greer Free Medical Clinic, Greer Relief, SC Works, & Staffworks Group.
*RENEW: An enrichment program Reaching Every Neighbor Every Way. RENEW classes teach job skills, finance, and health/wellness through meaningful participation.
*Resource Referral: Matching neighbors, with additional resources.
*VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance: Offering free tax preparation FEB - APR.

2020 Impact Stats
5748 neighbors in need received assistance
70% of our neighbors were new to need,
4631 neighbors received 10+ days of food,
5 COVID mobile food pantries distributed 466 food orders to 932 people
$527,707 prevented homelessness by paying 564 rent/mortgage or utilities bills for 1,471 neighbors
$584,879 tax refunds to 306 homes were prepared for FREE,
1,617 RENEW Rewards earned,
350 little smiles from our Christmas Morning Shoppe,
8,596 volunteer hours donated,
678+ donors and 219 volunteers are a #AHandInChange because #EveryNeighborMatters!