Families Helping Families (FHF) is a powerful initiative that exemplifies community support during the holiday season. This program, a collaboration between the Palmetto Project, a non-profit organization, and WIS-News 10 in the Midlands of South Carolina, plays a crucial role in providing holiday assistance to families in need. Each year, starting in August, families seeking support can apply through local social service agencies, which carefully assess their eligibility to ensure that aid reaches those who truly need it most.
In 2023 alone, Families Helping Families in the Midlands made a significant impact by assisting over 3,700 families across South Carolina. By working closely with local agencies and various community assistance programs, FHF ensures that donations and charitable contributions are effectively directed to individuals and families facing hardship. This coordinated approach minimizes service duplication and maximizes the program’s reach, enabling it to support a greater number of families struggling to afford essential needs such as food, clothing, and Christmas gifts. The estimated value of the assistance provided in 2023 reached nearly $1.7 million, demonstrating the program’s immense scale and benefit to the community.
Celebrating its 34th year, Families Helping Families has established itself as a highly organized and efficient operation dedicated to holiday giving for the most vulnerable members of society. This long-standing commitment is reflected in its impressive track record:
- Over the past 33 years, Families Helping Families has brought holiday cheer to more than 71,000 families in South Carolina.
- Remarkably, every dollar donated to FHF generates approximately $9 worth of goods and services for families in the Midlands who are experiencing hardship. This extraordinary efficiency highlights the program’s effective use of resources and its significant return on investment for donors.
Information for Families Seeking Assistance: Families Helping Families operates as a referral-based program. This means that all families applying for assistance must be approved and referred by a social service agency. If your family is in need of support, it is important to contact the social service agency where you currently receive assistance. This could include agencies such as the Department of Social Services (DSS), Housing Authority, Disability & Special Needs Board, Mental Health services, or your child’s school social worker. The application period typically runs from August 20 to September 27, but it is advisable to confirm the specific dates with your agency as they may vary. Families Helping Families serves individuals and children in the following counties: Richland, Lexington, Newberry, and Fairfield.
For those seeking to connect with a volunteer by telephone for more information, please call 803-779-4875. Volunteers are available Monday through Friday from 5 AM to 8 PM to answer your questions and provide guidance.
