2012 Charities

The LOT (Least of These) Project

Anderson County

From the vision of two young men who had been involved in bringing children and the homeless to church, the LOT project was born in early 2009.  The vision of LOT is to see a city transformed as they serve as a catalyst for change, a bridge of hope, and an oasis for respite.  Today the LOT project provides a meal each Tuesday and Thursday evening (HOPE- Helping Other People Eat) and clothing to those who come. Local churches provide the food and clothes and monetary donations are provided from the community.  Since August 2009, the LOT project has given away more than 11,040 meals and 44,468 items of clothes and shoes. The LOT volunteers have donated 6,781 hours.  The numbers continue to grow each week.  Their services also include AHOP (Anderson House of Prayer), an oasis for citizens in which to worship and pray, which is available 24 hours a day; and,  the “Disciple-ship”, a bus ministry that continues to provide transportation for people to attend church on Sundays.  The LOT Project operates solely on funding provided by free-will charitable donations of individuals and churches.  The LOT Project serves not only the homeless and needy, but also donors, volunteers and participating churches as they collaborate and extend arms and hands to reach farther in the city of Anderson, South Carolina.

Contact Info:

Andy Gibson, President
765-432-1375 or 864-642-1085
302 W. Market Street, Anderson
www.thelotproject.com

Our Daily Rest

Oconee County

Our Daily Rest began as a mission of eight churches in the area.  All were seeing a great need to help others with food, money, clothing and shelter.  They formed a board, which acquired property and were successful in raising the funds to build the homeless facility in about six months. The shelter opened in August, 2009.  Our Daily Rest is a transitional homeless shelter that works closely with clients to help them gain independent living. Each client is drug and alcohol free, and develops a personal plan that is reviewed with case managers weekly. Our Daily Rest has helped over 400 people since their opening two years ago and plans to serve 200 people in 2012. Fifty percent of their clients graduate to independent living while at Our Daily Rest,  and other clients have been successful in establishing the foundations to improve their lives. Our Daily Rest is dependent on donations from individuals, businesses, foundations and churches in the area.
The mission of Our Daily Rest is to build lives; not just for ourselves,  but for others as well.
At its very best, Our Daily Rest is not as much about changing individual lives as it is about creating a caring community.

Contact Info:

Steve Smith, Executive Director
864-482-2040 or 678-576-6729
525 E. Main Street, Seneca
www.ourdailyrest.org

Gleaning House Ministries

Pickens County

Gleaning House Ministries is a Pickens County food pantry that has been serving the families of Pickens County for over 11 years. The Gleaning House operates with 100% volunteers, including the director. On average, Gleaning House Ministries provides 430 families each week with food at their location.  Food boxes distributed each week go to families of  two to families of ten, and include men, women and children.  There are more than 1,800 families that are income eligible and who continue to receive food from this organization throughout the year. The volunteers gather and glean food, information or referral to other county programs for those who seek help. Gleaning House Ministries is totally dependent upon donations from churches, businesses and individuals to continue their ministry. A great increase in the number of referrals for people needing food has been seen from agencies such as DSS, SHARE, and local churches. Lines of people outside their building can be seen each Tuesday and Thursday morning from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. when the food distribution takes place.  Providing food, hope and love Gleaning House Ministries continues to meet the needs of those they serve.

Contact Info:

Esther Corn, Director
864-350-7557 or T/Th 864-878-0102
319 LEC Road, Pickens

Previous Charities

From its beginnings in 2001, The Foothills Gala has honored the work of organizations that provide much-needed care and support for the people of Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens Counties.  Since then, the Gala has raised over $430,000 for these local charities:

Anderson County

• Family Promise – 2011
• Anderson Soup Kitchen – 2010
• Camp Providence – 2009
• Clean Start – 2008
• Anderson Emergency Kitchen – 2007
• Hospice of the Upstate – 2006
•  Anderson Interfaith Ministries – 2005
• Cancer Association of Anderson – 2004
• Sunshine House – 2003
• The Good Neighborhood Cupboard – 2002

Oconee County

• Dot’s Soup Kitchen – 2011
• Our Daily Bread – 2010
• Tamassee DAR School – 2009
• Senior Solutions of Oconee County – 2008
• Friends of Oconee County Guardian Ad Litem Program – 2007
• ABEL 2 Foundation – 2006
• Collins Home and Family Ministries – 2005
• Rosa Clark Medical Clinic – 2004
• Prevent Child Abuse – 2003
• Our Daily Bread – 2002

Pickens County

• Clemson Free Clinic – 2011
• Pickens County Meals on Wheels – 2010
• SHINE (Stopping Hunger In Nearby Easley) – 2009
• Happy Hooves Therapeutic Equestrian Center – 2008
• Helping Hands of Clemson – 2007
• Caring Communities of the Carolinas – Pickens County – 2006
• Mary’s House – 2005
• Pickens County Free Medical Clinic – 2004
• Clemson Child Development – 2003
• United Christian Ministries – 2002

Any incorporated 501(c)(3) organization in Anderson, Oconee, or Pickens County is eligible for consideration.