​History 
In 1986, Polk  County was identified as one of 200 counties in the country with the greatest  amount of poverty per capita.  Based upon this information, a five-year study was conducted to document and determine the needs of the Polk County community.  The evidence was clear and the action was immediate.

In 1991, a small number of compassionate people set-out to address unmet needs and deliver services with a helping hand.  Through the generosity of the Columbus United Methodist Church, a room was designated to establish a base for the fledgling organization that would become Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry (Outreach).  Since that time, Outreach has grown to meet the numerous ongoing and challenging needs of those in crisis within Polk County.
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1986 - 1990

• Polk County named as one of the 200 counties in the US with greatest amount of poverty per capita
• Women from multiple local churches united under Eloise Thwing's leadership to begin a 5-year study of the problem and to implement change

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1991

• Based on the results of the study, Reverend Tony Sayer, Columbus United Methodist Church, agrees to provide space and utilities for Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry (Outreach)
• By-laws were established and Outreach opened its doors in September
• Eloise Thwing is elected as Outreach's first board chairman

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1992

• Fran Ruthven is selected to be Outreach's first Executive Director. 
• Mrs. Ruthven moved from Polk County and Eloise Thwing is selected to be Outreach's second Executive Director
• Petie Kaericher is elected the new board chairman
• Outreach receives 501(c)(3) not for profit tax exempt status
• Outreach begins to serve Polk County neighbors in need with a $14,000 annual operations budget

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Eloise Thwing, first Outreach Executive Director

1997 - 1998

• Outreach outgrows its space at Columbus United Methodist Church and purchases 1 acre of land and begins a capital campaign to build a larger facility
• Polk County Community Foundation awards Outreach $50,000 (one-third of the need) to put towards costs of a new building
• June 8, 1998 Outreach moves into it's new building. All church organized food pantries consolidated and Outreach became the primary food pantry in Polk County
• Outreach has 2 paid staff members - an Executive Director and 1 other employee

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2005-2006

• The results of a local study revealed Polk County children had a significant need for dental hygiene care
• Outreach helped lead this initiative and acquired property next door to build a dental clinic
• Under the leadership of Becky Collins and Mark Woodbridge, the Collins Dental Clinic was built  

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George Alley and Carol Newton

Margot Carter

2007 - Present

• In 2008,  Outreach's Feed-a-Kid program was established to help serve Polk County children who suffer from food insecurity 
• The School Supplies program was launched to ensure all Polk County students have the tools they need to start school
• In 2010, Eloise Thwing (Outreach Founder) retired as Executive Director
• Carol Newton was hired to be Outreach's 3rd Executive Director in 2010 and served for 5 years
• George Alley stepped in as Outreach's 4th Executive Director in 2015 
• Outreach rebranded in 2020, updating our logo to better depict our mission. While we are still officially Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry, we also simplified our name and now go by Outreach.​​

• In 2021, Outreach completed construction on the first 2 houses in our neighborhood. Tenants moved in, in August. In November, Western Carolina Community Action purchased 2.6 acres of Outreach's property to build a new child care center. In December, Margot Carter became Outreach's fifth Executive Director in its 30 year history.

Thanks to many partners, past and present board members, dedicated volunteers and supportive donors, Outreach has been serving the Polk County community for over 25 years. To learn more, browse our website, or call 828-894-2988 for more information.
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Volunteer packing Feed-a-Kid bags

School Supplies Distribution 2019

Food Pantry expansion (2013)