SOCIAL SERVICES

Economic Assistance

Polk County Department of Social Services

231 Wolverine Trail Mill Spring, NC 28756

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

828-894-2100 (or 828-894-0187 after hours emergencies)

Polknc.gov, click on Departments

The mission of Polk County Department of Social Services is to assist families and individuals by helping them maintain and/ or enhance their quality of life and to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable people in the community as we administer services and public assistance programs in a timely, effective and professional manner. The agency administers the Food and Nutrition Services Program, Medicaid for families and children, Medicaid for aged and disabled programs, and temporary assistance to Needy Families Program. DSS administers various programs of emergency assistance to families and individuals in crisis and provides referral services to local, state and federal resources. DSS also offers foster parent preparation training.

South Carolina Department of Social ServicesSpartanburg County

630 Chesnee Hwy. Spartanburg, SC 29303

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

864-596-3001 (after hours reporting 864-585-1445) dss.sc.gov

The department’s mission is to promote the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and vulnerable adults, help individuals achieve stability, and strengthen families. DSS provides protective services for children and vulnerable adults, adoption, and foster care services. It administers federal Title IV-B Child Welfare Services and Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption Assistance programs. The department also establishes standards for and licenses child care providers and residential group homes for children. Through its Division of Economic Services, DSS administers economic assistance programs including the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides employment and training for people receiving cash assistance. The Department administers food assistance programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal benefit to assist low-income citizens in the purchase of food. Also, a commodities program distributes supplemental food through a network of food banks. Other food programs provide financial assistance for child and adult care providers, homeless shelters and summer feeding sites for children. The Department also administers the state’s child support program under federal Title IV-D and provides other child support services, including paternity establishment and fatherhood initiatives.

NC 211 is an information and referral service provided by United Way of North Carolina. Families and individuals can call 2-1-1 or 1-888-892-1162 to obtain free and confidential information on health and human services and resources within your community. Information is also available online at nc211.org.

Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry

134 White Dr.

Columbus, NC 28722

Monday and Thursday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-6 p.m.

Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m.-

12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. 828-894-2988, tboutreach.org

Since 1991, Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry (Outreach) has served Polk County residents living with a crisis or with longer-term poverty. A private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Outreach’s mission is to provide compassionate assistance to Polk County residents who are unable to meet their basic life needs. Whether it is providing food to children and families through the Food Pantry and Feed-A-Kid Program, or by helping families facing the loss of their home or utilities being cut off, Outreach seeks to bring the necessities of life to those who need a helping hand and a caring heart.

Housing

Ashley Meadows Apartments

113 Ashley Meadows Circle, Columbus, NC 28722, 828-894-2671

1, 2 and 3 BR apartments, subsidized, low-income housing

Bon Aire Apartments

700 S. Randolph Ave., Landrum, SC 29356, 864-457-2280

1, 2 and 3 BR, 40 units, federally subsidized housing

Highwood Apartments

15 Pinetree Lane, Columbus, NC 28722

P.O. Box 807, Columbus, NC 28722, 828-894-3499

A HUD complex for persons 62-plus years of age with 44 apartments

Hope Village

134 White Dr., Columbus, NC 28722, 828-894-2988, tboutreach.org

2 BR/2BA rental homes, Phase 1 expected completion date March 2023

Ridge Oak Apartments

160 Shuford Rd., Columbus, NC 28722, 864-457-2280

1, 2 BR, 18 units, federally subsidized housing

Thermal Belt Habitat For Humanity

40 E. Mills St., Columbus, NC 28722

828-393-6494, Tuesday - Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. thermalbelthabitat.org

Habitat ReStore

132 N. Trade Ave., Landrum, SC 29356

Monday - Thursday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday & Saturday 10 a.m.5 p.m.

864-457-2666, thermalbelthabitat.org

Thermal Belt Habitat for Humanity is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International and operates in Polk County, N.C. and Landrum, S.C. Its mission is to provide affordable housing in a decent community for people of modest income who otherwise might not be able to afford homeownership. Since its inception, ReStore has been a major funding source for the ongoing construction of new homes.

Food

Polk Baptist Association

Care Kitchen

208 Blanton St., Columbus in lower level 828-894-3787

Free hot meals are served from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. every Friday

Saluda Welcome Table

132 Greenville St., Saluda 828-749-9764

Everyone is invited to attend the Saluda Welcome Table every Tuesday. Dinner will be served from 5:30-6:45 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church. All are welcomed. Donations accepted.

The Meeting PlacePolk County Senior Center

75 Carmel Lane, Columbus 828-894-0001 polkcountymeetingplace.com

Congregate meals served daily Monday-Friday from 11:30am12:30pm. Free to seniors age 60+.

Meals on Wheels

75 Carmel Lane, Columbus 828-894-0001

Home-delivered meals for those that qualify daily MondayFriday.

Bethlehem United Methodist Church

The Thursday Table 253 School St., Mill Spring, NC 828-551-9686

Free meal to the public, take-out plates available, every Thursday, 6-7 p.m.

Columbus Presbyterian Church

21 Peniel Rd., Columbus, NC 828-894-3368

Breakfast every Sunday at 9:20 a.m. Dinner every Wednesday at 6 p.m. Congregate meals served free to the community.

Landrum United Methodist Church

227 N. Howard Ave., Landrum 864-457-3984

Congregate meals served free to the community every fourth Saturday, 4-6 p.m.

Landrum First Baptist Church

300 East Rutherford St., Landrum 864-457-4118

Congregate meals served free to the community every third Saturday, 4-6 p.m.

Support Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous

• 76 N. Peak St, Columbus, Tuesdays, 6:30-8 p.m., 828-8942168

• 195 New Market Rd., Tryon, Monday, 5:30 p.m.

• 101 Healing Farm Ln., Mill Spring, CooperRiis, Thursdays, 8 p.m., 828-859-7099

• 404 East Rutherford St., Landrum, Mondays, 7 p.m., 864-266-2404

• 64 Greenville Street, Saluda, Tuesdays, 6 p.m., 828-7492251, 800-286-1326

• St. Luke’s Hospital Classroom 704, 101 Hospital Dr., Columbus, Thursdays, 7 p.m.

• 408 N. Main St., Rutherfordton, Tuesday 6:307:30 p.m., Wednesday 12-1 p.m.

Nicotine Support Group

St. Luke’s Hospital, 101 Hospital Dr., Columbus, 828-699-9001, 828-817-2481, Thursdays, 7 p.m.

Adolescent Substance Abuse Support Group

84 White Dr., Columbus, Monday 4-5 p.m., 828-894-2290

Adult Substance Abuse Support Group

84 White Dr., Columbus, Tuesday, 1-2:30 p.m., 828-894-2290

Celebrate Recovery

Midway Baptist Church, Thursdays, 6:30 p.m., 828-894-5633

The Well, Fridays, 6:30 p.m., 828-817-9789

Narcotics Anonymous

Saluda Center, Fridays, 8 p.m., 864-457-7278

Female Domestic Abuse

Steps to HOPE, Mondays at 12:30 p.m., 828-894-2340

Batterer Intervention Program (BIP) is a 26 week course focusing on healthy family relationships. Steps to HOPE offers: emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, a 24-hour crisis hotline for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, case management and support groups, help with filing domestic violence protection orders and support through the court process.

Male Domestic Abuse

Steps to HOPE, Mondays

6-7:30 p.m., 828-894-2340

Batterer Intervention Program

(BIP) is a 26 week course focusing on healthy family relationships. Call for more information.

Women’s Support Group

Steps to HOPE, Mondays 6 p.m., 828-894-2340

Weight Watchers

Tryon United Methodist Church, Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., 828-859-9218

Foothills Parkinson’s Support Group

Landrum Library, 2nd Wed. of Month, 1:30 p.m., 864-404-8001

Diabetes Support Group

St. Luke’s Hospital, 101 Hospital Dr., Columbus, Time/ Date varies, 828-894-0944

Smoking Cessation Support Group

St. Luke’s Hospital, 101 Hospital Dr., Columbus, Thursdays 7 p.m., 828-894-0847

Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse - Be a Voice 4 Kids

Call for location, Every other Thursday, 6:30 p.m., 828-817-4267, beavoice4kids@yahoo.com

Seasons of Grief

60 Ward St, Columbus, Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m., 828-8942340