Get Involved
Everyone can help make our community stronger, and build a brighter future for our Lowcountry neighbors — and you can start right now.
We are 100% funded by donations from our community. Without your help, we wouldn’t be able to provide life-changing services to those who need them most.
Fund Drives
This year, instead of gifts, ask your friends and family to make a gift to tackle poverty. Rally your network to build a community filled with opportunity for ALL.
It’s quick and easy! Once you’ve created your team page, you will get a shareable link to your customizable team page where friends, family, and colleagues can make secure online donations.
When we work together, we can make a bigger difference.
Bluffton Self Help can turn $350 into meals for a family for an entire year. A $1,200 investment provides an adult student the education opportunities and advocacy for a year to build the skills they need to be successful.
As we look forward to birthdays, holidays, and milestones this year, consider celebrating by joining us in supporting the community. Together, we can provide opportunities for ALL.
Volunteer
Bluffton Self Help was founded on a simple notion of neighbors helping neighbors and at the very core of this is our over 250 volunteers who support neighbors through education, skill training, tutoring, mentorship, wellness, and basic needs. Our volunteers are at the very heart of what we do and the smiles behind each of our services.
Food Drives
Host a Drive with your office, school, club, or congregation. Ask friends and family to celebrate your next birthday, anniversary, or other milestones by donating.
This year, nearly 900 households will be able to put over 285,000 healthy and well-balanced meals on the table with the help of neighbors. Ten Bluffton schools will have stocked snack closets, and more than 400 families will receive special holidays groceries. Thank you for keeping our Market stocked and our community nourished as the need continues to grow.
Take a Tour, See the Impact
Get to know Bluffton Self Help and see how, with your help, we’re paving pathways to personal success. Taking a tour of Bluffton Self Help will give a better understanding of who we are, who we serve, and how we provide services that bring about impactful change and help neighbors work towards personal success.
We believe the experience will change you, challenge you, and give you a vision for how you can make a difference. With four locations, serving hundreds of neighbors a day you can decide which facilities you would like to visit. You will meet the staff and neighbors and see your gifts in action.
Contact us and we will arrange a tour for you or your business, church, club, or any group. Schedule a tour or request a speaker to visit your church or business today with the link below to our contact page or by calling 843-757-8000.
Events & Promotions
Our events throughout the year help to celebrate our community, the successes of our neighbors and bring people together to make a difference. We invite you to come be a part of these celebrations and strengthen the fabric of our community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mondays & Wednesdays 9 – 6:00 and Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 9 – 4:30. Pull around the back of the building and ring the doorbell.
You may donate online at www.blufftonselfhelp.org./donate-form or you may mail in a check to PO Box 2420 Bluffton, SC 29910
There are no eligibility requirements, anyone is welcome to come shop.
Please call 843-757-8852 to make an appointment.
Mondays: Drive-through from 4-6 p.m.
Wednesdays: Market is open from 10-12 p.m. & 4-6 p.m.
Fridays: Market is open from 10-12 p.m.
Once per week
We do not accept expired or opened food. Any non-perishables, produce, milk, meat or frozen food we will accept. We also accept hygiene items and cleaning products. We are unable to accept household goods including any furniture or appliances.
Clothing:
We accept gently worn or new children’s clothing, new shoes ONLY, and business professional or workwear for adults. No casual wear, please.
Below are some guidelines for our clothing closet:
WE ACCEPT
– Lightweight Jackets/Blazers
– Children’s Clothing of All Kinds (no undergarments)
– School Uniforms – Solid polos, khaki, navy or black bottoms
– Adult Clothing: Blouses/Tops, Buttondowns, Golf Shirts, Cardigans, Light Sweaters, Dresses, Skirts, – Jeans, Slacks, Shorts, Khakis, Pantsuits, Blazers Inseams must be 6″ or longer.
– New shoes in a box or shoes that look like they came from the store (like new – no scuffs or indicators the shoes have been worn).
- Clothing must be laundered in order to be distributed.
- No rips or tears (even if the item was made this way), missing buttons, missing zippers, stinky or stained clothing.
- Keep the season in mind. We typically do not distribute super heavy clothing at BSH, because it is not useful for those in our area (Heavy Coats/Wool Sweaters). We don’t store/distribute winter clothing in the summer and we don’t store/distribute summer clothing in winter.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT
– Cocktail/semi-formal or formal attire. No wedding dresses
– Miniskirts, short shorts.
– Logos or graphic t-shirts/sweatshirts (unless logo is 2″ in size or smaller)
– Used shoes
– Accessories, purses, ties, belts (we just don’t have the space)
– Undergarments, socks, tights, stockings.
– Athletic wear/loungewear and no swimwear or pjs/bathrobes
– Hats
– Household linens (towels, bedding, decor)
Please check out our social media for most needed items and reach out to julia@blufftonselfhelp.org for more information.
Please email julia@blufftonselfhelp.org for volunteer opportunities.
No, you may drop in any time for computer use or to get help.
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m. for working neighbors ONLY
Twice per month
Join the Red Apron Alliance
Join us to invest in innovative, scalable, impactful, community-based solutions.
We believe in the power of shared vision. Dynamic partnerships are essential to solving complex challenges and disrupting the cycle of poverty. The Red Apron Alliance provides an opportunity to work closely together to help build a community where all people can live in success and security.
Your partnership supports a leader in the field that has been successfully fighting poverty and creating new opportunities for Lowcountry neighbors since 1987 with proven programs and impact. Our programs are changing the lives of over 5,500 Lowcountry neighbors, annually.
