​What's New at 

Outreach - 

Holiday Update:

• Christmas Gift Distribution days are Friday 12/6 & 12/13 by appointment (appointment times were scheduled during the registration process)
• Christmas Meal Packages will be distributed 12/2 - 19
• Outreach will be closed 12/23 - 12/26. We will reopen with regular operating hours on Monday, 12/30/24 & Thursday, 1/2/25. Outreach will be closed Tuesday, 12/31/24 & Wednesday, 1/1/25.

Empty Bowls 2024 was a wonderful success to raise money for the fight against food insecurity in Polk County. It was a tremendous community effort and we extend our appreciation to everyone who purchased a ticket, the talented artists who made all the handcrafted bowls, the businesses who sponsored this event or made soup & bread, everyone who volunteered, Parker-Binns for donating their beautiful venue. We look forward to sharing photos from the event and profiles (that were delayed due to Hurricane Helene storm response) of the artists who created the beautiful bowls. 

We extend a giant ThAnK yOu to every single person who has donated food, volunteered, made a financial contribution, picked up debris, worked to repair homes, chopped and stacked wood in support of Polk County and Western NC! We are grateful for your time, energy and contributions to our wonderful Polk County community! Photos below capture a few of the many who have offered assistance in the wake of Hurricane Helene - 

​Expressions of Gratitude for Grants & Foundation 

Support

Thanks to the support of these generous foundations in 2023, Outreach was able add new programs and increase our support of the Polk County community in 2023 & 2024 - 

Outreach was awarded a $132,000 URP (Urgent Repair Program) grant through the ​North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. This grant finances emergency home repairs low-income homeowners who have special circumstances.

The Polk County Community Foundation generously supports Outreach and Polk County neighbors in need every year through - 

• JM Funds $25,000 annually that helps cover utility and rent assistance needs
• Local Commitment Grant that supports organizations who provide assistance to Polk County residents
• Seasonal Assistance Grant contributes $3000 towards Outreach Holiday programs
• PCCF Board Sustainability Grant contributes to Outreach staff retirement accounts

Additionally, in 2023, PCCF awarded a $35,000 grant in support of food pantry initiatives in 2024. With the increase in food costs and client visits, this grant will enable Outreach to continue providing same-level support to Polk County residents.

The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina awarded Outreach a Human Services grant for $20,000. Thanks to this award, Outreach was able to increase the food options we offer in our pantry and continue our EATS (Edible, Accessible, Time Saving) program, which takes the food we receive from TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) and turns it into actual meals. EATS is everything you need (recipes, all ingredients required, including spices) to make 2-3 dishes each week! EATS is in addition to a client's regular monthly visit to our food pantry.

​Thanks to Gateway Wellness Foundation, Outreach received a grant for $50,000 to start/ pilot a home repair program for Polk County homeowners. Through our pilot program we were able to help 13 homeowners in need. Repairs included - 

• 5 roof repairs / replacements
• 3 well & plumbing repairs
• replaced a water heater
• replaced doors
• replaced heating and air unit
• garage repair
• mold remediation

​Outreach was thrilled to be a part of Carolina Foothills Foundation's inaugural grant cycle in 2023. Carolina Foothills Foundation awarded $25,000 to Outreach for programs for Polk County children and senior citizens. 

Thanks to a matching grant from the Tryon Garden Club, Outreach was able to plant five cherry trees along the Hope Valley Lane, the road in our developing neighborhood, Horse Creek Village.

"I want to thank Outreach for helping my family out. Because if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have food for my six year old son. I just wanted to thank y'all from the bottom of my heart."                            ~ Outreach client

Have you heard about our Life Works Program?

Are you ready to make positive changes and improve your life? Outreach is now accepting applications to Life Works, our self-sufficiency program that focuses on helping you achieve goals related to:

• employment
• education
• money management
• transportation
• childcare
• housing
• building life skills

To learn more, contact Life Works Coach, Michelle Reedy ([email protected] or 828-894-2988) or click to visit the Life Works section on our website.

"When things get tight (as they always do being a single mother of two), it's great to have this wonderful, dependable place to come to, to help keep our heads above water! Thank you!"      ~ Outreach client

It Takes a Village

At Outreach, we have over 7000 visits each year from Polk County neighbors requesting assistance 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 our community. Thank you!

Check out the storage shed James Purtill built for one of our rental houses for his Eagle Scout Project. James led a group of fellow Boy Scouts who helped him complete the construction. 

Thank you to the Cooper Riis Organic Farm Program for sharing the fruits of your labors with Outreach! We are so grateful for the beautiful poinsettias you have shared with Outreach staff, clients and volunteers!

Thank you Kathy Nebel for looking out for our 4-legged family members and keeping our pantry stocked with dog and cat food!

We extend an extra special Outreach thank you to these cuties who made chocolate covered strawberries to give to their neighbors in exchange for canned goods that they donated to Outreach! Thank you Trenton & Victoria for your creativity & kindness!!

As part of their Grace It Forward day, this group from First Baptist Church Tryon worked in our wood shed splitting and stacking wood

Thank you to the group from the Congregational Church, UCC who came out in support of their Church Beyond the Walls program and helped landscape the bed at our newest rental house. We are grateful for all of your hard work!

Thank you to Melissa Cary's 4th grade class at Sunny View Elementary School for all your hard work to make Outreach grounds beautiful and welcoming to clients and guests. You guys did an amazing job!

Thank you Holy Cross Youth for your quarterly shopping trips for our food pantry!!

"The food pantry is a blessing to me and my four little girls. We have had our lives turned upside down and I am very thankful for everyone's help. I hope to eventually be in a place where I will be able to start helping others, like others have helped me. Thank you so much!"            ~ Outreach client

Donate Now

Hours of Operation Monday & Thursday: 9:00AM - 12:00PM 1:00 - 6:00PM Tuesday & Wednesday: 9:00AM - 12:00PM 1:00PM - 4PM Friday, Saturday & Sunday: Closed ​ Upcoming Events December 2 - 19: Christmas Holiday Food Distribution ​​December 6 & 13: Christmas Gift Distribution at Outreach December 23 - 26: Outreach is closed for Christmas Holiday December 31, 2024 -January 1, 2025: Outreach is closed for the New Year Holiday ​ Monthly Wish List Food Focus: milk, butter, condiments - mayo, mustard, ketchup, sugar, mashed potatoes (boxed or packaged), bagged salad mixes, fresh fruits & vegetables, cooking oil, turkeys, hams, salad dressings Non-Food Focus: laundry detergent, dish soap

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 18883663895, type Outreach in the message and press send.

​​        Outreach
           134 White Drive
           P.O. Box 834
           Columbus, NC 28722
           828.894.2988

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