June 14, 2018 | 7:30 am to 9:00 am
Greer First Presbyterian Church | 100 School Street, Greer SC
On Thursday, June 14th 120 neighbors joined us for breakfast and a discussion about Greer Relief. The purpose of the event was to educate the community on the mission of Greer Relief and our focus on hunger and homelessness prevention.
The invocation was given by Rev. David Howell, Pastor at John Knox Presbyterian Church.
The program opened with a welcome from Timothy Joner, Greer Relief Board President, to say “thank you,” and to share his personal story of growing up as a neighbor in need. He also thanked Engenius and the City of Greer for continuing to support Greer Relief, and First Presbyterian Church of Greer for hosting the Neighborhood Breakfast this year, and the following event donors:
- Chick-fil-A Greer
- Chick-fil-A Taylors
- GOS
- Greer Event Rentals
- Lowes Foods
- Publix
- Southern Palate
- Stomping Grounds
- The Clock of Greer
- Wild Ace Pizza & Pub
Because of their help and donation we were able to have this free event. Please let them know their support is appreciated.
Caroline Robertson, Executive Director, spoke about the programs and services at Greer Relief. She shared her personal story of growing up in poverty, and shared a thought provoking quote from MDC President, David Dodson. Dodson wisely stated, “We must be about changing the odds, not expecting people to beat the odds.”
Robertson also shared that as of the date of the event, 6/17/2018, Greer Relief had already assisted 1,679 neighbors in 627 homes. In addition she also explained, “Greer Relief has 2 programs in our tool box: Safety Net & Crisis Prevention. Safety Net is what we are known for, providing assistance to neighbors in need who are experiencing a crisis. Crisis Prevention provides tools to end the cycle and ensure a path for neighbors in need to become neighbors who thrive… We’re not just helping by providing the traditional safety net program, but offering a crisis prevention “stabilizing” program to change the path, and expand the impact.”
A Neighbor Testimonial Video was presented, Andrea, A Welcome Sight. Andrea followed the video and shared a few words “from her heart.”
Greer Relief also recognized a few of their top donors from the past year. Those donors provided funds that were undesignated, which allows the agency to use those funds when & and where needed. The following donors provided $5,000 or more in undesignated funding:
- Greer High Spirit Week, $26,570.04
- Trust of J. Conway Edwards, $25,000
- Jim & Kit Pearce Endowment @ the Community Foundation of Greenville, $5,000
John Mansure, President of the Greer Medical Campus at Greenville Hospital System, gave a call to action and presented ways the community could help. John started by presenting a check for $5,000 to Greer Relief. He used the donation as a challenge to the community to help, “When you are poor there’s lots of agencies who help but knowing which ones they are and ‘1’ accessing them ‘2’ and figuring out how to fill out all the junk that you have to fill out to get the help from them ‘3’ are oftentimes insurmountable problems…one of the great things that Greer Relief does is help people to access all of the opportunities that are out there…it’s not a money making operation, it only survives due to the generosity of the neighbors in our community. The only way we can help neighbors is by neighbors helping us.”
Thank you to all our neighbors and friends of Greer Relief!