Bluffton, SC, July 18, 2011—The calls come in daily. Some people have recently suffered from a health emergency or accident. There are clients who have recently lost their jobs and their utility bill is due. Their new job won’t start in time to pay the rent and utilities. Other people need fans to deal with the heat because their health is in danger. There are mothers who have to work and are seeking affordable child care. Other people paid all their bills, leaving no money to feed their children. School is starting soon and there is no money for uniforms and basic supplies. These people live in Bluffton and they turn to Bluffton Self Help.
The need continues to grow, so it’s time for Bluffton Self Help to grow too.
Bluffton Self Help showcased their new larger facility at a special media and donor event held on Monday, July 18. The new building site is located at 39 Sheridan Drive, off Highway 278 in Sheridan Park. This new facility will offer expanded services to the more than 22,000 clients who received food, clothing and emergency financial assistance in 2010.
The agency expects to move their operations into the soon-to-be-renovated location by early November.
“Having just closed on our new building, we are now one giant step closer to bringing this very important community project to reality,” said Peter Bromley, president of the board, Bluffton Self Help. “We are very excited to preview our new building at our separate Media and Donor events on July 18th , and to officially launch Phase Two of our Building Campaign to raise another $300,000 for renovation and for a 10-year utility endowment.”
Renovation on the building begins immediately. Once the renovation is completed the new facility will offer:
• A large area for both food and clothing distribution, with the possible addition of more food distribution days.
• A much larger pantry so that food doesn’t have to be stored off-site after generous food drives
• Three private interview areas and the opportunity to offer Benefit Bank…an on-line processing service to file for eligibility on state and local programs such as SNAP (food stamps), child care assistance, educational grants, Federal tax return filing, medical assistance for medication and equipment, educational grants, income assistance and voter registration.
• A loading dock with separate entrance for the Second Helping and other delivery trucks. This larger area will also make it possible for Bluffton Self Help to participate with the local food bank, offering a considerable savings in providing food and supplies to clients.
• Storage space for off-season clothing and holiday toys
• A multi-purpose meeting and training room to offer budgeting and benefit information
• Ample parking for clients and volunteers
“These improvements are not “nice-to-have” improvements but are very much a necessity,” explained Bromley. “At the current site, clients are lining up in the summer heat during food distribution days, food delivery trucks have limited space to drop off food and there is cramped space for conducting day-to-day business.” These are just a few of the challenges the current location poses.
Once the renovation is completed, Bluffton Self Help will host a Grand Open House to offer other donors, community leaders and clients the opportunity to share in the celebration.
Until the move, Bluffton Self Help, a United Way agency, is located at 1264 May River Drive near Downtown Bluffton. It’s business as usual.
For more information contact Lili Coleman at 843-757-8000 or visit blufftonselfhelp.org ###
Other suggested stories on the new facility:
• More volunteers needed for the new location.
• Peter Bromley and the building committee, who are they?
• Ida Martin…Watching her mission grow.
• Bluffton Self Help has a wish list for the new building.
• No Mortgage…how did that happen?
Just call us for more information!!!
