Several churches and religious organizations in Greenville County, South Carolina, offer emergency assistance programs. Typically, these programs provide access to food banks, help with utility bills and rent, and clothing for local residents facing financial hardship.
Since funds are limited and often depend on geographic location (such as parish boundaries or zip codes), it is advisable to call before visiting in person.
Food and Financial Assistance Programs
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Simpsonville, South Carolina, carries out its community outreach work through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP). They offer emergency assistance to Greenville County residents and registered parishioners facing temporary hardships.
All assistance programs operate exclusively on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (except on holidays).
Available Assistance Programs
Food Pantry: Provides free emergency food bags containing nutritious, non-perishable staples.
No appointment is needed for the food pantry; you may come directly during Monday morning operating hours.
Emergency Financial Assistance: Offers limited financial support, primarily intended to help with utility payments (such as electricity, gas, or water).
An appointment is required to receive financial assistance.
Clothing Center: A collection and distribution point for clean, gently used clothing, located directly across from the ministry house.
Seasonal Programs: Includes initiatives such as the “Giving Tree,” which provides Christmas gifts to local families in need.
Contact Information and Next Steps
Location: Services are provided at the “Brown Road House” on the church grounds at 2252 Woodruff Road, Simpsonville, SC 29681.
Financial Assistance Appointments: Call the parish main line at (864) 288-4884 and ask for the St. Vincent de Paul extension. This line operates via voicemail only; you must leave a detailed message requesting a return call to schedule a Monday appointment.
General Inquiries: You may email the ministry volunteers directly at svdp@smmcc.org.
Prince of Peace Catholic Church
Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Taylors, South Carolina, serves the community through its Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) conference. They provide emergency food bags, clothing, and utility payment assistance to local families facing financial hardship.
Their programs support both church parishioners and individuals who are not members of the parish but reside in Greenville County.
Available Assistance Programs
Food Pantry: Distributes emergency food bags to families as needed. Donations of non-perishable food, as well as clothing and footwear, are accepted directly in the church lobby (narthex).
Utility Assistance: Provides financial aid to prevent the disconnection of essential utilities.
For non-parishioners: Financial assistance is limited to one utility bill every six months.
For registered parishioners: Financial assistance for one utility bill per month may be requested.
How to Request Help and Hours of Operation
All emergency assistance is handled by appointment only. The ministry serves families on Mondays.
To schedule an appointment or check availability, please contact us during the established office hours:
Office Hours: Mondays and Thursdays (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.), Fridays (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.).
Phone Lines: Call (864) 331-3929 or (864) 331-3937.
Email Inquiries: You may also write to imber.simone@gmail.com for more information about services.
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Greenville, South Carolina, provides vital community support through its Gallivan Center and parish outreach ministries. Its assistance programs focus primarily on helping families facing emergency financial crises or food insecurity, both within the city of Greenville and in the surrounding areas of Greenville County.
Services are open to the community and are offered in both English and Spanish.
Available Assistance Programs
Food Pantry: The parish operates an active food distribution program, providing essential nutrition and quality products to families experiencing food insecurity.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Utility bill assistance: Provides essential funds to prevent local residents from facing immediate utility shutoffs (electricity, gas, water).
Rental assistance: Offers short-term emergency financial aid specifically for individuals who have received late rent notices or eviction notices.
Locations & Distribution Sites
Depending on the specific resource needed, services are distributed across the parish facilities:
Food pantry location: Situated at the Gallivan Center, 309 Gower Street, Greenville, SC 29611.
Financial and rental assistance office: Located nearby at the main church office, 307 Gower Street, Greenville, SC 29611.
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Greenville, SC, manages its emergency assistance program through the parish’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) conference. They offer bags of food and financial aid to individuals and families facing temporary financial hardship throughout Greenville County.
Available assistance programs
Food pantry: Distributes essential staples, non-perishable foods, and packaged items to anyone in need.
Hours: Open every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (except on major holidays).
Location: The pantry operates from the facility’s backyard area.
Emergency financial assistance: Provides limited financial aid funds intended for utility bill payments (electricity, water, gas) and emergency rental assistance to prevent eviction or utility disconnection.
How to request financial assistance
Unlike the food pantry (where no appointment is required), financial assistance is handled entirely through an initial assessment process:
Call the assistance line: Call the SVdP ministry line at (864) 412-7101.
Leave a message: Clearly state your full name, phone number, and a brief description of the emergency.
Phone interview: A volunteer will return your call to conduct a preliminary assessment and schedule an appointment for a full phone interview.
Documentation: You will be asked to provide documentation verifying your situation (such as a photo ID and the specific overdue bill).
(Note: If you are looking for Our Lady’s Pantry, that is a larger, independent daily food distribution program managed by Catholic Charities of SC and located at 2300 Old Buncombe Road.)
The Salvation Army – Greenville Corps
The Salvation Army – Greenville Corps provides comprehensive social services to families and individuals experiencing a crisis in Greenville County, SC. Their work focuses on housing stability, immediate food needs, and emergency household resources.
Available assistance programs
Emergency financial assistance: Offers financial support primarily to prevent evictions and utility shut-offs.
How to apply: Applications for rent and utility assistance are processed primarily online. You can complete the general application form via the Greenville Salvation Army’s financial assistance portal.
Contact: For application status updates, applicants may contact the social services department via email at nikale.anderson@uss.salvationarmy.org.
Greenville Food Pantry: Provides emergency food boxes to households experiencing severe food insecurity.
Hours: Open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Frequency: Local residents may access the food pantry once every 90 days.
Clothing and Household Goods Vouchers: Offers eligible families vouchers for clothing and basic household items through the local Salvation Army thrift store.
“Angel Tree” Holiday Program: A seasonal assistance project allowing low-income parents to register their children to receive free Christmas gifts and winter clothing. The application period typically runs from mid-August to mid-October.
Emergency Housing: Manages a local shelter system offering immediate, temporary housing for men, women, and families.
Location and Contact Information
Main Social Services Office: 417 Rutherford Street, Greenville, SC 29609
Intake Phone Line: Call (864) 235-4803. (Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the office closes for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.).
Catholic Charities of South Carolina – Upstate Office
The Catholic Charities of South Carolina Upstate (Greenville) office serves a multi-county region, offering comprehensive wellness programs, community assistance, and legal services directly to families and individuals in need.
Rather than providing standard emergency assistance checks for utilities or rent, this regional office manages specialized programs focused on nutrition, hygiene, dental care for seniors, and immigration services.
Available Assistance Programs
Our Lady’s Pantry: A “client-choice” food pantry designed to offer a supermarket-style experience where visitors can select healthy, nutritious food.
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Clothing Closet: Provides gently used clothing free of charge to families and individuals.
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
“Clean of Heart” Mobile Unit: A mobile service offering hot showers and access to hygiene facilities for community members experiencing homelessness or lacking access to clean running water. Please call the office for routes and operating schedules.
Save a Smile Program: Offers specialized financial assistance specifically for seniors and low-income adults in need of full dentures.
Immigration Legal Services: Provides reliable, low-cost legal consultations and assistance for individuals navigating immigration processes.
Location and Contact Information
Address: 2300 Old Buncombe Road, Greenville, SC 29609
Phone Lines: Call (864) 331-2629 or (864) 274-0141.
Office Hours: General administrative hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Other Church Coalitions Networks
When individual churches lack the necessary funds, they often refer requests to church-supported collaborative ministries that manage larger-scale assistance programs in the county:
United Ministries: Founded by a coalition of local churches, United Ministries focuses primarily on housing stability (eviction and utility shut-off prevention), economic mobility, and adult education. You can contact them at (864) 233-4453.
Center for Community Services (CCS): Supported by various congregations, including Brookwood Church, this center provides emergency financial assistance, case management, and resource referrals for families in southern Greenville County. Contact them at (864) 546-1893.
