History

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.

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

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

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

Eloise Thwing, second Outreach Executive Director who served from 1992 - 2010

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

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

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
In 2020, Outreach rebranded, 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 32 years. To learn more, browse our website, or give us a call (828) 894-2988.