Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Panhandler approaches ARC Owner - 4/20/15


An ARC owner was approached by a panhandler in the parking lot of Target.  The woman claimed to be a single mom living in a motel at the moment and was receiving a small amount of disability benefits.  It was towards the end of the month and she was about a week away from receiving her benefits.(She produced her disabilities papers and ID showing her payments of approx. $800 per month)  As she had not yet established South Carolina residency she was not yet eligible for food stamps.  She had spent the last of her money for the room for her and her two children but had no money for food.  She was told that they would not give her cash but offered to help buy some groceries.  She graciously accepted a gift card to Target for groceries.

 
Amount: Target Gift Certificates - $40

Food Gift Certificates for homeless - 4/14/15


An ARC owner reached out to several homeless folks from Summerville about their needs.  One woman who has been living in her truck for several months and struggles with some mental health issues welcomed the help in the form of $50 worth of gift certificates (alcohol and tobacco excluded) for Piggly Wiggly where she routinely shops.  Another woman who frequents the “Square“ in town during the day spends her nights at a small local church in the middle of town.  Her and her boyfriend relocated here from Pennsylvania for a better way of life but he lost his job shortly after arriving and found themselves on the street.  The small local church has been housing them but they were very much in need of the gift certificates ($50) making it possible for her to shop at the “Pig” for necessary items.

 
Amount: Piggly Wiggly Gift Certificates - $100

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Neighbor of ARC Owner seriously ill - 3/24/15


An ARC owner informed Change for a Dollar that her neighbor was recently hospitalized and diagnosed with a very serious and rare lung disease.  The prognosis is very poor and he is being treated at MUSC.  Also, the wife of the sick gentleman only recently stated a new job and has no paid leave to visit and stay with her husband while he is in the hospital.  Her boss has been very supportive but there is a loss of income now as well.  While the neighbors have been very helpful to the family the loss of the wife’s income on top of everything else has put additional strains on the family.  Change for a Dollar helped out the family with some gas cards to cover the cost of repeated trips downtown to MUSC.  Additionally, they were given some BiLo food cards to help relieve some of the strain on the budget.
 

Amount: Gas Card & BiLo food card - $250