What's Happening Now at Outreach 
Souper Bowl of Caring
The Souper Bowl of Caring is a nationwide movement that started in 1990 to mobilize people to use Super Bowl Sunday as an opportunity to take action in the fight against hunger. This year we're celebrating the 30th anniversary of this grassroots movement!
As part of the Souper Bowl of Caring movement, our local community donates hundreds, possibly thousands, of cans of soup (many with dollar bills attached by a rubber band) to Outreach's food pantry during the week following Super Bowl Sunday. This food drive comes at an important time of the year for Outreach, a quiet time for donations, but when cans of soup, chili and other warm meals are needed and particularly appreciated by our clients.
It's easy to participate and make a difference:
  • ask your fellow parishioners, friends, co-workers and family members to bring cans of soup, chili, etc. to Super Bowl parties and gatherings
  • host a canned food / donation drive at your church and ask parishioners to bring cans of soup, chili, etc. to church on Sundays during the month of January
  • collect the canned items and any monetary donations
  • bring the donated items to Outreach during the week of February 3 (note: the food pantry accepts donations between 9am and 4pm Monday - Thursday and 9am - 12pm on Friday)
All food donations will be distributed directly to Polk County residents in need. 
To learn more about the Souper Bowl of Caring movement, client the link below to view a short informational video -
What is Souper Bowl of Caring?
Come Volunteer at Outreach!
 Volunteers needed:
  • Food Pantry: Monday morning (9:00AM-12:00PM) and afternoon (12:30-4:00PM)  shifts
  • Client Intake Interviewer: Friday morning (8:45AM - 12:30PM)
  • Receptionist: Friday morning (8:45AM - 12:30PM)
  • Van driver to make pick ups and deliveries 
Food Pantry volunteers assist Outreach clients when they shop, stock shelves, sort donations and more. Client Intake volunteers interview (potential) clients seeking assistance. Receptionists greet clients in a friendly and timely manner and answer the phone. Van drivers pick up donations and make deliveries for Outreach.
For more information, please complete and submit the Volunteer Sign-up form or contact Volunteer Coordinator Barb Powell at barb.powell@tboutreach.org or
​828-894-2988.
Cool Kids Alert!
Thank you Polk County Schools for your kind and generous support of Outreach this fall -
Polk County High School's Interact Club donated 542 pounds of food
Polk Central Elementary School
doubled their goal & donated 1,153 pounds of food during their fall food drive
Polk County Middle School donated 408 pounds of food during their Kindness Month initiative
These local elementary school kids raised money, bought supplies and assembled each container to make birthday boxes for the children of families who shop in Outreach's food pantry. Everything you need to throw a birthday party is in this box! "Every kid should have a birthday party!" they said.
Trail Life Group from Midway Baptist Church collected and donated 267 pounds of food for Outreach's food pantry.
It takes a village ...
At Outreach, we assist over 7900 Polk County neighbors each year with food, financial assistance (rent & mortgage, utilities, medical and dental) and special programs for children (Feed a Kid, School Supplies and Holiday) and veterans.  Without the help of our generous community, we could not provide this level of assistance to those in need. We're all in this together and at Outreach, we're grateful for all you do to help. Thank you!
Cooper Riis Greenhouse Crew Leader, Ines Wullimann, brought beautiful poinsettias to Outreach, grown by Cooper Riis residents. These plants were given to Outreach clients when they shopped in the food pantry.
The Knights of Columbus donated proceeds from their annual Golf Tournament fundraiser to Outreach's food pantry.
Foothills Wellness Center donated 4 large boxes of toys and made a financial contribution to help with Outreach's Holiday Gift Distribution.
8th Annual Tryon Rolling Art 
event donated 822lbs of food 
The NC Woodmen Life Chapter
donated 142lbs of food
Volunteers from the Congregational Church split wood for clients this fall
Recent Grant Awards
Outreach extends heartfelt thanks to The Cannon Foundation for the recent "Human Services" grant award to be used to complete important updates to our building.  Check out our 2019 Renovation page for the details of this project and to track our progress. 
We are grateful to The Cannon Foundation for investing in Thermal Belt Outreach!

Thank you Polk County Community Foundation for awarding Outreach a "Seasonal Assistance and Cheer" grant. Thanks to this grant, Outreach was able to purchase Thanksgiving meal gift cards and gifts for children on our angel tree. 
Thank you PCCF for your generous and continued support of Outreach programs and services!
Hours of Operation
Monday - Thursday:
9:00-11:30AM
12:30-3:30PM
Friday:
9:00 AM-12:00PM
Saturday & Sunday:
Closed
​
Upcoming Events
2/2: Souper Bowl of Caring
2/14: Valentine's Day
2/17: President's Day
2/22: Wood splitting at Outreach
3/1: Rich Nelson Band & Friends Benefit at Tryon Movie Theater
3/2: Volunteer Training at Polk County Public Library
3/8: Daylight Savings Time starts
3/17: St. Patrick's Day
5/1: Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
Monthly Wish List
  • Food Focus: cereal, Jiffy cornbread mix
  • Non-Food Focus:  hand sanitizer (small bottles), facial tissue
Newsletter

​Annual Report
Did you know.... Outreach now has a texting service to communicate with our clients? This service is used to send important Outreach news and updates on programs and special events. It's simple to register - text 21000, type Outreach in the message and press send.
​Check out our video about how Thermal Belt Outreach has changed the lives of many and touched the hearts of our community. ​
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​​Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry
134 White Drive
P.O. Box 834
Columbus, NC 28722
828.894.2988