How to help your neighbors in need this holiday season

GREER, S.C. – As we begin planning for the holidays and thinking about that Thanksgiving meal, it is important to remember those in our community who are struggling. Many of our neighbors are trying to figure out if they will have anything on their table.
Greer Relief, a non-profit located in downtown Greer, has been helping those in need since 1936.
“We’re here to help our neighbors,” Executive Director Caroline Robertson said. “We make sure our ‘Neighbors in Need’ have food [and] financial assistance so that they can stay our neighbors and stay in our community.”
Robertson said they are currently working to put together Thanksgiving meal boxes.
“We need turkeys. Lots and lots of turkeys,” she said. “It’s going to be a few hundred turkeys needed to pull this off.”
If you would like to donate, the following items are needed for the holiday boxes:
- Ham/Turkey
- Potatoes/Rice
- Gravy mix
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Mixed Vegetables
- “Cream of” Soups
- Cornbread Mix
- Cranberry Sauce
- Graham Cracker Pie Crust
- Pumpkin Pie Filling
- Evaporated Milk
Robertson said a great way to support your local pantry is to host a food drive.
“Green Charter School is one of our partners. They’re having a big, school-wide food drive, so we’ll be picking up that food right before Thanksgiving to sort through and try to put those boxes together,” she explained. “We had a donor donate $1000 toward the effort so that we can purchase some of those last minute items for the boxes.”
After Thanksgiving, Greer Relief will be accepting donations and working to provide Christmas meal boxes.
If you would like to help Greer Relief, click here to see their full wish list, make a financial donation, or learn about volunteer opportunities.
If you are in need of assistance, call Greer Relief at (864) 848-5356 or visit the office located at 202 Victoria Street in Greer.
“We serve Greer, Taylors, Duncan, Lyman, Wellford, and Startex,” said. “If you are outside of our service area, we will make sure you have the right place to call.”
To find a food pantry near you, click here.
Robertson mentioned Crate Restaurant & Wine Bar will be hosting a free Thanksgiving meal. Click here to learn more about that event.