Changing Stories 2019

by | Nov 4, 2019

SEASON OF GIVING | STORIES OF GRATITUDE

Bluffton Self Help is celebrating 32 years of serving our community and rewriting the story for thousands of families. We have continued to grow and innovate over the years to meet the evolving needs of our neighbors. As the years pass and the seasons change, one thing always stays the same, the generosity of our community.



You can always tell when November is here. The business of people’s lives become more intense, the stores create winter wonderlands and children eagerly write their letters to Santa. At times, we may forget that there is so much more to this beautiful season but to the families who participate in our Holiday Hope Toy Shop – they never forget. They hold onto the memories made and the smiles on their children’s faces because of you, our community. These are the greatest gifts you can give.

No matter what holidays you celebrate or maybe don’t, these next two months are meant for giving thanks and giving back to those we love and hold dear.

It is during times like these, when we might become consumed in the hustle and bustle of our own lives that we can easily look past those truly in need.



Every day we are grateful to be able to see the difference each of you make in our community. With each day, we become more humbled by the people in our community. Small acts of kindness, small gifts or simply ideas to help our neighbors in need may seem insignificant but often they make the biggest difference. Every family has a story and we are thankful to be a small part of some of those. 

Thank you for helping us to make an impact on the families and stories like these:

“Last year, we received your wonderful gifts and I was really grateful. I never received any help ever and this is really emotional and overwhelming last year. Someday, I will be able to donate to you and make someone’s Christmas just as merry as ours was last year. May your light so shine as bright as the morning star in every place you go and to those you come to meet in your lives. Thank you very much.” – BSH Client

“In my life I am always been “the helper”, the one who helped others. It has always given me deep joy to donate to organizations like yours. I could never imagine that one day things would have changed and my son and I were going to be the ones in need. It has been hard to accept this. It has been hard to accept to receive but I am so very deeply grateful with all my heart to all the people that have donated to us from their hearts during the holiday season. You certainly did bring great joy under our Christmas tree, it meant a lot to us. Now that I have been on both sides of the coin, I have a better understanding of the need and giving. Thank you from my heart to all the people who made this holidays possible.” – BSH Client

“Thank you for giving us those toys on Christmas. My daughter especially liked the stuffed animal and sleeps with it every night. I really was happy when I was able to get sweaters and coats for my kids because I could not  afford it.” – BSH Client

“Thank you for kindness and generosity. It’s the most amazing, joyful and unforgettable Christmas for us because of you!! I haven’t seen my son so happy in the last 5 years as he has been last Christmas after seeing all the gifts. Bless yo Bluffton Self Help.” – BSH Client

COVID-19 Update to our Supporters

Dear Bluffton Self Help Friends, Because you are an important stakeholder in Bluffton Self Help, we want to keep you informed about how we are responding to the COVID-19. While we continue to do everything possible to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers and clients, and to prevent community spread of the virus, at the same time we believe we must make every effort to continue to be here for our many neighbors in need. As we’ve reported before, we have modified to distributing pre-bagged groceries as opposed to neighbors shopping for items in our Wellness Food Pantry. We set up the very critical COVID-19 Family Relief Fund to ensure we are able to assist our neighbors with the emergency financial needs. We closed our Confidence Clothing Closet, however will always fill on demand requests for workwear. Our commitment to our community is stronger than ever. We continue to remain available every week day for neighbor’s inquiries, concerns and immediate basic needs. In this time of so many unknowns, the one thing know for certain is that the need for our support continues to rise every day. Many neighbors find themselves suddenly without income and in need of help for the first time. Hardworking neighbors living paycheck to paycheck, now are faced with an already stressful health crisis that puts real strain on their financial situation.
As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic together, one thing is clear: Bluffton Self Help is a vital resource for our community. Bluffton Self Help is meeting the challenges of this moment head on. We’re working hard to ensure our community has consistent and safe access to food, basic needs and financial support to emerge through this crisis stronger. Just this week alone we served more than 300 families facing food insecurity and the number of new requests rising more than 20%. Our modified food distribution is able to provide each family with a weeks worth of fresh meat, produce, milk, bread and non-perishables each visit. The requests for financial support grow each day. With rising unemployment, we are ready to meet the needs of our community to prevent homelessness and ensure critical financial needs are being met for our neighbors. Many of you stepped up to support our services, our mission and most importantly our neighbors. We continue to receive donations of food, hygiene products and generous financial donations, but we can’t do it alone. We will continue to need your support to keep our operations open in a crucial time of need.
During this time of great uncertainty and unprecedented change, our commitment to our neighbors, staff and volunteers and the most vulnerable in our society remains stronger than ever. We could not do this without you. With your continued support, I know that we can meet this challenge head-on and emerge stronger, together.
Take care of yourself and each other. Kimberly Hall
Executive Director | Bluffton Self Help

Community Food Drives & Drop-off Locations

Please drop off any food donations to the below Food Drives throughout our community: Bluffton Self Help NO Contact Food Donation Drop-off Details: You may leave your donations in one of the bins located around and in the back of the BSH building Where: Bluffton Self Help | 39 Sheridan Park Cir | Bluffton, SC 29910 When: Mondays-Thursdays | 10am-2pm * Please do not leave any donations outside of this time as they do attract animals. Sun City Residents Details: You may leave your donations on the porch of two Sun City neighbors Where: 24 Bristol Bay or 386 Eaglecrest Drive When: Anytime Looking to hold your own food drive for your neighborhood? Please email julia@blufftonselfhelp.org

ERC 2nd Anniversary

Education & Resource Center 2nd Anniversary Our Education and Resource Center (ERC) is turning two next month! The ERC was created to provide additional resources for our neighbors whose income falls above the poverty line yet well below a livable wage. We are incredibly proud of the work we have been able to do and continue to do through the ERC’s programs, workshops, hiring events, ESL classes, job skills training and GED classes in partnership with BCSD Adult Education. We know our neighbors cannot be truly successful until their basic needs are met but the Education & Resource Center takes our mission one step further- to create opportunities for our neighbors in need. These opportunities truly change lives and support our neighbors on their path to personal success. We continue to grow and innovate to meet the needs of our community and to break the cycle of poverty. Looking forward, we’ll continue to improve and expand our core services of food, clothing and emergency financial assistance, while building on the early success of our Education & Resource Center. Our vision is to be recognized as Beaufort County’s leading community-centered organization that facilitates and engages the community and other human services organizations to improve the quality of life and provide a personal pathway to success for all fo our neighbors in need. Check out our monthly ERC Calendar for all the events & classes!