Food & Emergency Services

CASC provides emergency food and monthly food boxes, emergency intervention and respite service, and vital household items to people in need.  Clients may also access Benefits Bank and Economic Security Center Services.

 

Emergency Food

CASC maintains two food pantries located in Charleston County:

  • Downtown Senior Center, City of Charleston
  • Felix Pinkney Community Center, North Charleston

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Each client household receives enough food for one month.

 

Clients are asked to call ahead and make an appointment for food.  Walk-in clients for emergency food will be served as soon as possible by CASC staff. 

 

Clients must complete a brief application before receiving a box of food.

All clients are entered into Charity Tracker, a Tri-County data base for basic needs services.

 

Seniors can also access Benefits Bank Service.  This free web-based program simplifies and centralizes the process of applying for many state and federal benefits for low and moderate-income individuals and families. 

Households are limited to one appointment per month.

 

For more information about emergency food or Benefits Bank please email Ms. Tera Worrill, Activity Director.

 

Items Needed for Seniors

 

CASC assists homeless and poor seniors in establishing and maintaining their households.  

 

Needed items include:

  • Household items – especially bed linen for double beds & small appliances – toasters, irons, coffee makers
  • New towels & washcloths & placemats
  • Disposable blue bed pads
  • Blankets, throws & lap robes
  • Adult diapers for men or women
  • Sweaters- especially larger sizes for women
  • Socks & gloves for men
  • Bathrobes (large) for men & women
  • Liquid nutritional supplements
  • Flashlights and batteries
  • CASC is unable to accept used hospital beds.

 

 

 

Commodity Box Program

Dates for Commodity Box Pickup for 2012:

  • January 13
  • February 17
  • March 16
  • April 13
  • May 18
  • June 15
  • July 13
  • August 17
  • September 14
  • October 19
  • November 16
  • December 21

 

 

Please note:

  • Pick up times are from 8-11am at the Charleston Area Senior Center Dining Room.
  • If you are unable to pick up your box on the regular scheduled day you may pick up your box on the following Tuesday from 1:30-2:30pm. You must have someone to help you load your box on the second day – we do not have volunteers that day!
  • If you do not pick up your commodity box, it will be given to someone else.
  • If you have any questions regarding the Commodity Box Program, please contact Tera Worrill at the Charleston Area Senior Center at (843)722-4127.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Senior Hunger

Hunger among those 50+ has jumped 80% since 2001.  South Carolina ranks 5th in the nation for the number of seniors who are at risk of being hungry.


46% of emergency food clients report having to choose between paying for utilities or heating fuel and food.

 
Nearly 1 out of every 3 seniors skip at least one meal a day.

 

We Need Your Help!

Canned food drives and donations of canned meat help fill our food pantries.

Please consider conducting a food drive – help us to help a senior in need. 


Suggested non-perishable items include:

  • Canned tuna, salmon, chicken and beef
  • Hearty soups with meat
  • Canned ravioli, spaghetti sauces
  • Pasta, rice
  • Canned vegetables & fruit
  • Dry cereal, granola bars, protein bars
  • Liquid supplement such as Ensure

 

For more information about organizing a food drive in your community or religious group, please email us here.

 

Intervention

Frequently, CASC staff make emergency house calls to assess seniors in crisis.  Referrals are received from local police departments, pastors, hospitals, concerned neighbors and family members.  Most common problems encountered:

  • No food in the home
  • Unsafe or unsanitary conditions
  • Threat of eviction
  • No electricity or water in the home
  • Abusive family members
  • Disabling condition such as dementia or paralysis for an older adult living alone.

 

For more information about assistance for a senior in need, please email Ms. Yvonne Cooper.

 

 

 

 

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