What's New At Outreach
2025 Holiday Program
We ask that toys and gift cards are donated by Monday, December 1st at 134 White Drive, Columbus, NC 28722.
Thank you Dogwood Health Trust -
With the paving of the 2nd half of Hope Valley Lane completed, our (nearly) 4 year Infrastructure Project is finally concluding! Thanks to Dogwood Health Trust's $490,000 investment in Outreach and Polk County, we were able to clear and grade the land, install the road, culverts and creek crossing and lay sewer and water lines ("Infrastructure") to build 17 additional homes in Horse Creek Village. The foundation of this neighborhood is a testament of Dogwood's generosity and demonstration of "compassion with courage".
"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
Gratitude for Grants & Foundation Support
Outreach expresses heartfelt appreciation to the following foundations for their support and investment in Outreach and Polk County this year. We are incredibly grateful for the following grant awards - 
The Polk County Community Foundation awarded Outreach an Unrestricted Fund Grant and a Lois Miner Barrick Fund grant totaling $72,000! This funding will be used to help pay for much needed repairs and improvements to our Outreach office building - paint the exterior of our building, construct a porch to run across the front of our building, improve security and new interior and exterior doors. We look forward to the completion of this project!
Additionally, The Polk County Community Foundation generously supports Outreach and Polk County neighbors in need annually through -
  • JM Funds $25,000 annually that helps cover utility and rent assistance needs
  • Seasonal Assistance Grant contributes $3,000 towards Outreach Holiday programs
Dogwood Health Trust awarded Outreach a "Stronger Organizations General Operating Support Grant" during their 2025 - 2026 Unrestricted Grants cycle!  This grant is funded over a 2-year period and was requested in preparation, in part, to cover the anticipated increase in client assistance expense due to growing number of clients, increased cost of food, electricity and rent.
Gateway Wellness Foundation awarded Outreach a grant in the amount of $25,000 in support of our EATS (Edible. Available. Timesaving.) and Backpack Snacks Program in 2025!
  • EATS is a meal kit complete with 4-5 recipes and all ingredients needed to make the meals. The baseline is food we receive from the Federal Government's TEFAP program and Outreach supplements with all the additional ingredients, including spices needed to make the recipe!
  • Backpack Snacks is nutritious, "kid-approved" food that goes home with Polk County students every Friday to ensure they have enough to eat over the weekend. Outreach partners with Polk County Schools, teachers and counselors to identify students who would best benefit from this program.
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-sufficient 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] or828-894-2988) 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 (Backpack Snacks, 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!
Champions for Wildlife 
​donated 176 Summer Smile Kits
​​Each kit included educational arts and crafts activities designed to teach children from pre-k to 5th grade about birds, adding a fun and interactive element to our school supplies program.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Tryon Riding & Hunt Club for supporting Outreach through your Philanthropy Program with a generous gift of $2,000.
Donations like this help us continue serving our neighbors through our client-choice food pantry, financial assistance, seasonal programs, and more.

Thank you for being part of the village that makes this work possible.
​Thank you, Tryon United Methodist Men
​For your generous support of our Holiday, Backpack Snacks and School Supplies Programs!
Green Creek Auction’s generous donations helped Polk County students start school prepared, supported teachers with classroom essentials, and provided holiday gifts and household items to families in need. Their continued support makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients every week.
Sherrif Department's Back-to-School Event
​Outreach enjoyed participating in the Polk County Sheriff Department's Back-to-School Event at Polk County Middle School. It was a great success!
​Thank you, Community Action Opportunities
​For their support of our Life Works program. We are looking forward to expanding our partnership with CAO to include a home repair program in the 4th quarter of this year.
HomeTrust Bank 
​donated 124 new backpacks filled with school supplies.
​Each backpack was packed full of essentials like pencils, crayons, scissors, glue sticks, folders, and notebooks.
A heartfelt thank you to Aram Davis for celebrating his birthday with a generous donation to Outreach, and to his sister and brother, who also give on their birthdays. Your family’s kindness is truly inspiring!
"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
Outreach
134 White Drive
P.O. Box 834
Columbus, NC 28722
828.894.2988
Hours of Operation:

Monday & Thursday:
9AM–12PM & 1PM–6PM

Tuesday & Wednesday:
9AM–12PM & 1PM–4PM

Friday–Sunday:
Closed
Upcoming Events:

11/03:
​Thanksgiving Food Distribution Begins

11/15:
Run for Outreach Event
Tryon Half-Marathon &  Fall for the Foothills 5k (8am-12pm)

11/26:
Thanksgiving Food Distribution Ends

12/1:
Holiday Food Box Distribution Begins

Friday 12/5 & 12/12:
Holiday Gift Distribution

12/18:
Holiday Food Box Distribution Ends

12/22–12/25:
​Outreach closed

12/31 & 01/01: Outreach closed
Our Impact & Updates:
Outreach 2024 Annual Report
File Size: 1875 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
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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.
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