Here's how Upstate SC agencies collaborated to provide shelter, meals during arctic blast
Social service agencies and volunteers in Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson counties worked extended hours to feed and provide shelter for thousands of people in need during last weekend's arctic blast.
Both the daytime Opportunity Center shelter and Miracle Hill Rescue Mission shelter in Spartanburg and Greenville extended their hours as the coldest air mass of the year dropped temperatures to a record low of 7 degrees at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. The previous record low on Christmas Eve at GSP was 8 in 1983.
Also, some were taken to Reid House Assisted Living and Woodbridge Assisted Living in Spartanburg, both of which opened their doors to "some of our most vulnerable neighbors," she said.
"It's been hard for the folks, but Spartanburg Opportunity Center is trying to stay open whenever the Rescue Mission is not so that there is a warm place for all residents," said Susan Ballantyne, president of Opportunity HUB, which operates the northside Opportunity Center day shelter.
Ballantyne said a couple dozen men and women were transported by van at the end of each day to Miracle Hill's overnight cold weather shelter, and then picked them up the next morning to take them back to the OIC shelter during the day.
Ballantyne said typically, the Opportunity Center will see up to 80 to 100 people on any given day, offering them counseling, laundry, clothing, meals, showers and medical attention.
Despite briefly losing power, Miracle Hill in Greenville served about 220 cold weather shelter guests each day of the holiday weekend. Guests were provided with three meals and snacks each day according to Campusano.
Miracle Hill spokeswoman Yolanda Campusano said Miracle Hill's year-round shelter is at capacity, housing roughly 60 men and 36 women during the day and night.
Previous reportingMiracle Hill, at capacity, unable to take in 19 experiencing homelessness after Spartanburg shelter closure
The cold weather shelter and the center's chapel that is used for overflow can accommodate slightly more than 100 people when the daytime temperature is 40 or below, she said.
On Christmas Eve night, there were 95 men, women and children that stayed in the cold weather shelter and chapel, she said.
"We don't want to leave anyone out, especially when it's a matter of life and death," she said.
She added that Miracle Hill is always in need canned soups and water, and those donations can be dropped off at the mission in Spartanburg or at the Food Warehouse in Greenville.
Pipes burst at Greenville food bank
Harvest Hope Food Bank flooded due to busted pipes. A total of 6-8 inches of water was discovered Monday morning.
After an unanticipated power outage, an overhead sprinkler line burst in one of the staging areas, said Mia Thomas, Harvest Hope's director of advocacy and marketing.
Megan Evans, Harvest Hope's marketing and communications specialist, said with quick response from community members and staff, water has been cleaned up and repairs are planned. The food bank being closed for the holidays made clean-up easier, Evans said.
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There was minimum food loss, as the majority of losses were nonperishable items, Evans said.
"It (water) did not reach our main food supplies, thank goodness," Thomas said.
They are currently working with insurance and contractors on costs and repairs according to Thomas.
Harvest Hope will open on Monday as scheduled with a drive-thru food assistance line, but repairs will take weeks, Thomas said.
Upstate SC organizations, cities collaborate to care for those in need
Over the weekend, Sunday Dinner With A Twist of Taylors gave out over 150 coats, gloves and hats to those who couldn't get to a shelter. The nonprofit organization also fed over 130 people this weekend. Everyone who received a meal, also received a thermal mask.
The organization partnered with Chestnut Coffee and others to collect coats.
Sunday Dinner With A Twist was created by John Martin and his wife Cassandra Martin five years ago. With the help of volunteers, they go out in Greenville County Square, woods, bridges and other places to hand out 120-150 meals to those experiencing homelessness.
"We're a big team. We can't do it by ourselves. We need more people," John Martin said.
Miracle Hill at capacityMiracle Hill, at capacity, unable to take in 19 experiencing homelessness after Spartanburg shelter closure
Spartanburg OIC Shelter President Hoyt Bynum said he has been in regular contact with Miracle Hill.
"We worked with the city and Miracle Hill to make sure the homeless have a warm place to stay over the weekend," he said. "Our desire is not to have anybody in 9-degree weather. It's a credit to everybody working together."
Assistant Spartanburg City Manager Mitch Kennedy said Miracle Hill has been able to meet the city's cold weather shelter needs.
He added that the city, the county, the United Way of the Piedmont and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System have all provided resources to address homelessness.
"No single entity or organization has the ability to fully meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness," Kennedy said. "Collaboration is essential to our success."
Spartanburg Soup Kitchen feeds hundreds of people in need per day
On a normal day, the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen feeds 250 to 300 people. On Friday, executive director Lou Sartor said about 400 plates were served. The Soup Kitchen is open 7:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. every day.
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, more than 800 meals were served, Sartor said.
"For those that arrive early, we provide hot chocolate and coffee," she added.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: GRE SPA AIM agencies extend hours, warmth to those experiencing homelessness
