2017 annual report - bluffton self help · 2 bluffton self help • 2017 annual report a letter...

2017 ANNUAL REPORT • BLUFFTON SELF HELP 1helping our neighbors in need

2017

ANNUAL REPORT

BLUFFTON SELF HELP • 2017 ANNUAL REPORT2

A letter from the executive director

O ur neighbors face hardships every single day. Maybe it’s a senior citizen who can’t pay his electric bill in the middle of the cold winter or a single mother working to earn her degree

from Technical College of the Lowcountry. These are the neighbors who inspired Mrs. Ida Martin to give back. At first, it was with simple gestures, but before long, her garage was overflowing with food and used clothing for neighbors in need.

“It is said that Bill Gates founded his great company, Microsoft, in his garage — tinkering and thinking and being imaginative,” the late Sen. Clementa Pinckney once said. “But Sister Ida Martin did something different in her garage … Whereas Bill Gates made money and connected people, Sister Ida mended hearts and kept families together.”

Thirty years later, Bluffton Self Help continues what Mrs. Ida started — helping neighbors in critical need of short-term financial assistance, food and clothing while supporting them to become more self-reliant.

On a national scale, one in four Americans are food insecure. Locally, 10% of Bluffton’s population lives at or below the poverty level and 42% of kids in Bluffton schools qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Bluffton Self Help continues to make a tremendous impact in the community. In 2017, 251 families

received emergency financial assistance, 874 households received 456,000 pounds of food and $10,000 worth of school supplies was collected and distributed, for starters.

Bluffton Self Help is also a place for people who feel called to give back — a retiree who’s not ready to retire, a high school student learning about civic duty or someone who wants to pay it forward. More than 185 volunteers give their time every day and we couldn’t serve our community without them.

2018 is already off to a great start by connecting our neighbors with services. We are working to take a more hands-on approach to connect

our neighbors with available services. The Education and Resource

Center is a reflection of that effort. We are coordinating with several area agencies and that number continues to grow. We are committed to continue to listen to our community and meet the needs of our clients, but we can’t do it alone. Thank you for your support over the past 30 years and for the next 30. We are proud to serve in this community which we all call home.

Please enjoy our annual report not just as a statement of accomplishments, but as a vision of where we are going. I take great pride in leading such a wonderful organization and am grateful to our amazing donors, volunteers and community who support us in addressing hunger and poverty in Bluffton. Thank you for being part of the solution.

Kimberly Hall,Executive Director

2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DirectorsJames Cuff, Retired

Katie Goodman, General Manager, Bluffton TodayMarc Feinberg, Retired Pharmaceutical Executive

Paolo Grandjacquet, President, Saratoga Marketing GroupFred Hamilton, Town of Bluffton Councilman

Charlie Russ, Retired AttorneyElaine Morris, Owner, Hibernian Design

John Troutman, The Clark-Troutman GroupVeronica Williams, Retired Education Professional

Executive CommitteeChairwoman: Ashley Feaster, Community Affairs,

Palmetto ElectricVice Chair: Doug Adamson, Retired Business Executive

Treasurer: Jack Robinson, Retired CPASecretary: Susan Zellman, Retired Non-Profit Executive

Founding Member: Constance Martin-Witter

Executive Director: Kimberly Hall

2017 ANNUAL REPORT • BLUFFTON SELF HELP 3

In 2017 our board of directors unanimously voted to expand our mission statement to better demonstrate our desire to serve the emerging needs of the Bluffton community. We recognize our role

in providing short-term, critical services such as food and clothing, but also the leadership we play in addressing root causes of poverty. As one of the fastest growing communities in the state, Bluffton continues to grow at a rapid pace with the population outgrowing the services offered. With an increase of those living in poverty, addressing the needs of working families who continue to struggle is not only a mission, but our priority.

We have expanded our programming in 2018 to address those issues and are dedicated to providing high-quality case management to those seeking help. When in crisis, individuals become stressed, scared and fearful of the future. We want access to programs to be easy, judgment-free and empowering. We can’t do it alone. We depend on our community not just for support but for the collaboration of programs and services. Working together we can make a difference.

In 1987, Bluffton resident Ida Martin recognized a great need that was not being met for working families and senior citizens in the area, and so began Bluffton Self

Help. Initially working out of her garage, Mrs. Martin

obtained resources from family and friends and sometimes went door to door. Clothing was donated and food was obtained by driving to grocery stores and picking up food items.

Over the years, the agency’s location changed and at one point was located in the former police station/jail in Old Town Bluffton. As of November 2011, the agency moved to a new building conveniently located at 39 Sheridan Park Circle in Sheridan Park, in Bluffton.

A BRIEF HISTORYMISSION

In 2011 Mrs. Ida Martin received The Presidential Citizens Medal bestowed

by President Barack Obama. The award is the second-highest civilian award in the United States, second only to the

Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Bluffton Self Help exists in order to help our neighbors in need of food, clothing, educational

and financial assistance, and to provide programs that promote self-worth, dignity and create a pathway to personal success.

Because of my mother, we have big shoes to fill. We are our neighbors, and we are to take care of

our brothers and sisters.Constance Martin-Witter,

daughter of Bluffton Self Help founder Ida Martin


874 households received 456,000 pounds of food worth $758,000 enabling them

to have better health, nutrition and nourishment, while saving thousands of needed dollars from grocery expenses

through the Wellness Food Pantry

FEEDING THE COMMUNITY

HOLIDAYS

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

251 families received emergency financial

assistance to avoid the loss of utilities and the threat of homelessness

14,160 toys were distributed to more than 1,200 children in three counties through the Holiday Toy Shop

$10,000worth of school

supplies collected and distributed to more than 1,000 Bluffton students

$53,669distributed

for Hurricane Matthew Relief

16,440

pounds of Thanksgiving

groceries, worth $27,290, fed more than 300 families

1,007 neighbors attended 50 workshops on health,

finance, education and self-improvement

2017 COMMUNITY IMPACT


22% Individuals

12% Events

6% Grants

4% Businesses & Congregations

1% Other & Miscellaneous

55% In-Kind Food/Clothing

23% Food

22% Holiday Programs

27% Workshops & Other Programs

7% Financial Assistance

21% Clothing

85% Program Expenses

3% General & Administrative

11% Fundraising

2017 FINANCIAL SUMMARY

2017 SERVICE SUMMARY

SOURCES OF REVENUE

Individuals $289,394Events $149,438Grants $75,225Businesses & Congregations $46,757Other & Miscellaneous $12,101In-Kind Food/Clothing $703,801

Total $1,276,716

Sources of Revenue

Expense Allocation

Neighbors Served

EXPENSE ALLOCATION

General & Administrative $36,727Program Expenses $1,053,669Fundraising $145,367

Total $1,235,763

NEIGHBORS SERVED

Food 874Clothing 774Financial Assistance 251Holiday Programs 836Workshops & Other Programs 1,007

People Receiving Direct Services 3,742

*unaudited financial summary


WELLNESS FOOD PANTRYBluffton Self Help’s Wellness Food Pantry offers a client-centered shopping experience with access to fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy and non-perishable food items such as beans and cereal. With a higher-than-average cost of living in Bluffton, it’s important to provide access to healthy, fresh food options to our Bluffton neighbors. In 2017, Bluffton Self Help distributed more than 456,000 pounds of food worth $758,000 to 874 Bluffton families. Because of our food pantry, our neighbors have seen a decrease in weight-related illnesses and an increase in financial stability. We believe that everyone should have access to enough food to live an active, healthy life.

EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCEEach year, hundreds of families seek access to emergency financial assistance due to a catastrophe (such as hurricane or snow storm) or family crisis (such as medical, transportation, housing challenges). Bluffton Self Help assists families with housing, utility or medical support to ensure they have financial resources to get through the need. In 2017, Bluffton Self Help supported 251 families with more than $109,000 in financial assistance. Often times we can prevent homelessness or ensure a family’s critical needs are being met, such as utilities and medical care through this program.

EDUCATION & RESOURCE CENTERNew in 2018, Bluffton Self Help opened Beaufort County’s first Education and Resource Center. On our mission to help individuals seeking personal success, the Center will offer services ranging from access to computers, tax preparation and job training, to workshops on financial education and credit counseling. The Center, open to all Beaufort County residents, is a place for individuals and families to explore resources and support.

BASIC NEEDSIn addition to providing access to food, Bluffton Self Help strives to meet the basic needs of families facing crisis or poverty. We provide free food, clothing, financial assistance and other basic needs, such as coats, toiletries, diapers, wipes and formula to our Bluffton neighbors. Meeting the basic needs of our families helps them on their path to personal success.

SELF-IMPROVEMENTBluffton Self Help offers a variety of programs and services to help individuals and families reach their goals. From job skill training at our Education and Resource Center to our Dress to Impress and financial literacy workshops, we want individuals to know we can help with resources and tools geared toward self-improvement. At various times throughout the year, you may even see the mobile library or mobile medical unit offering help and support to our Bluffton neighbors.

HOLIDAY SERVICESHolidays can bring added financial and emotional stress to families in our area. Families that are financially confident for most of the year can struggle with the extra expenses. We help alleviate some of those pressures with food, clothing, toys and baskets — all are part of our Holiday Services. From our Holiday Toy Shop to Thanksgiving Pantry, we want to ensure our families have a joyful holiday season.

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

In 2018, Bluffton Self Help opened a new Education and

Resource Center available to all Beaufort County residents — the

first of its kind in the county.

The USDA estimates approximately 12% of all American households are food insecure, with an even higher number in single-parent households.


Caroline came to Bluffton Self Help by word of mouth. Friends pointed her in our direction when she was in need. Her family dynamics were changing and she needed resources to enable her to provide for herself and her small child. She came to Bluff-ton Self Help and was met with open arms.

Caroline’s husband walked out, she had no job or savings, and the food was running out. Like many, she wanted to ask for help but was embarrassed. With the encouragement of her friends, Caroline came in for support and left that day with a hearty bag of food for her and her 3-year-old daughter.“The woman we met who did our intake information was so kind and gentle,” said Caroline. “Over the course of a couple weeks we got to know the volunteers, and they treated us like family.” Caroline was able to use our wellness food pantry, diaper and clothing program, and even financial assistance to get back on her feet during what she calls a “tough time.” She recalls a time the volunteers asked her daughter about her favorite kind of pizza. As Caroline and her daughter were getting ready to leave, the volunteer handed over a large pizza for them to take home.

“My daughter’s eyes got as big as saucers, she jumped up and down — she was so excited. It had been weeks since she’d had ‘special eat-out food’ and she was beyond thrilled.”

“Y’all gave to us when we had no one else to turn to, and did so in a manner that made us feel loved and welcomed. I cannot tell you what a blessing that was. I was an emotional wreck when I first came, and now that I can afford to help out, I want to pass that blessing onto others.”

Caroline has put the pieces back together thanks to Bluffton Self Help. She continues to advocate for others and is an ongoing donor, giving back to help support the efforts that once support-ed her family.

In 2017, Bluffton Self Help was assisted by

185 VOLUNTEERSwho donated

48,880 VOLUNTEER HOURS

PERSONAL STORY

My daughter’s eyes got as big as saucers, she jumped up and down — she was so excited. It had been weeks since she’d had ‘special eat-out food’ and she was

beyond thrilled.


$75,000+George T. Lewis Jr. Foundation

$50,000-$74,999Ike and Letty Evans on behalf of Doug and Ronda Adamson

$20,000 - $49,999Charlie and Dianne Russ

$10,000 - $19,999Coastal Community FoundationGinn Family FoundationHeritage Classic FoundationJS Construction

$2,500 - $4,999Anthony and Mary FalvoHudson’s on the DocksBerkeley Hall Charitable FoundationBluffton Family ChiropracticThe Church MouseDavid and Beth BrushJames CollinsJim BerlierSun City Hilton Head Pickleball ClubRobert DaltonSaint Andrew By The SeaSisters of Charity Foundation of SC

$5,000 - $9,999Beaufort CountyChatterton Charity ClassicCommunity Foundation of the LowcountryCrescent CommunitiesDr. R. Durwood and Gloria AlmkuistDoug and Ronda AdamsonFarm-BlufftonGary Wilcox and Cynthia SmithJack and Susan RobinsonLive Oak Christian ChurchPalmetto Dunes ResortPalmetto Electric TrustPaolo and Liz GrandjacquetPNC FoundationSaint Gregory the Great Catholic ChurchSC Roadrunners MotorcycleVaux, Marscher, Berglind, PA

DONORS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Thank you for the help and compassion you gave me. I never had to ask for help in the past, and I am very grateful ...

Bless you for all the work you do. — FROM A CLIENT

2017 ANNUAL DONORS


$1,000 - $2,499

$500 - $999

Adrian and Elaine MorrisAshley and Jeff FeasterBeth and Timmons HerringBluffton United Methodist ChurchCenter Point Cabinets LLCChristopher and Diane O’BrienCJ and Kathy StrifeCoastal Signature Homes, Inc.Coastal States BankCoastal States Wealth ManagementCongregation Beth YamDan and Erin MorganDavid and Carol HeveyDean and Susan JacobsenDennis and Gerry FossDude’s Toy RunFrank and Joan FareseFriends of Callawassie IslandGene and Gail StephensGeorge and Rebecca McCarthyGeorge and Susan KreickGeorge SpearsGrayco

Hilton Head Area Association of RealtorsIan PlesterJacob MartinJames and Sharon MatteiJC and Neil MilnerJeremiah BogertJim and Carole CuffJim and Lili ColemanJohn and Danielle TroutmanJohn and Marie JamesJJB Hilliard, WL Lyons LLCKathryn GoodmanKhristina ReinheardtKiah and Anne Louise O’BrienLinda and Richard DelcoreLinnea WilsonLowcountry Presbyterian ChurchMarc and Paula FeinbergMarida BruggemanMartin Sauls Farm Bureau InsuranceMary and Ed LearyPamela and Christopher JonesPatricia Valenti

Paul BairdPeter and Sue BromleyPhilip Livingston and Lucy HannThe Reed GroupRobert ArnoldRobert and Mary Margaret KerdashaRotary Club of OkatieRoy and Inca CarpenterSally AyotteSandra and Gilbert O’ConnellSteven and Nancy SayerSybil HarveyTerrence and Jacqueline ReynoldsThomas and Mary FritschThomas SmithUnited Way of the LowcountryVenus and Reid HollandWalls InvestmentsWells Fargo BankWilliam and Caroline TyeWilliam FaucettWomen’s Association of Hilton Head Island

Allan and Dianne CouperAndrews EnterprisesBarry and Ann ChudnofskyBen HamBill and Liz SauterCampbell Chapel A.M.E. ChurchChip and Elise SimonsClassic Home MortgageCraig KnollC. Michael McCurdyDavid FurmanDavid and Sue FleinerDonald and Sheila JemellaDonald YehleEalon and Margaret ThompsonFred HamiltonGloria and Paul ZaskyGregory and Heather GuyThe Haven at New RiversideLast Man Standing Club 2009Lord of Life Lutheran ChurchJames and Linda StevensJean SwangrenJeff and Cathy BayerJim and Jean Brennan

Jon and Colleen BillsJonathan and Sam BoydJoseph and Linda MascettiJune Davis and James KenneyKatherine and Nigel HammondLauren HembyMarriott International, Inc.Marsha and Howard LevinMartin and Nilda WeberMatt RamseyMichael and Cathy CoreyNancy and Paul FisherNancy Waterhouse-FisherNeil and Carol Anne RasmussenPalmetto WirePaul and Peggy StevensPaulette KirkPerry and Lauren Robinson Pratt and Kimberly ReedRaymond and Barbara ElbertsonRichard and Terri SavouryFergusonRepublicians of SC HHRichard and Carol CarneyRobert and Deborah Linman

Ron and Debbie BoshawRonald BrunoScott and Lisa LengelShoreline Construction Show Services, Inc.St. Luke’s United Methodist ChurchSteve and Maureen TiltonSusan and Jeffrey TokerSusan ZellmanThe Crunchy Pharmacist, LLCTemple Oseh ShalomTemple Oseh Shalom SisterhoodTeresa WargelTony and Holly O’BrienTown of BlufftonTray and Leslie HunterWebster Rogers FoundationWells FamilyWilliam and Lynn BunnWVU Alumni

We apologize for any misspellings or omissions. We make every attempt to recognize our donors with their intentions. If you see an incorrect entry, please contact us immediately.


30TH ANNIVERSARY SIPS AND SEAFOOD EVENT

HONORS & AWARDS

On October 20, 2017 we celebrated 30 years with our first annual Sips and Seafood event at Hampton Lake. More than 250 attendees joined us as we raised funds to support our mission. Chefs Matt and Ted Lee joined us for a conversation around Lowcountry dining and we sipped cocktails from Southern Barrel, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Belfair Fine Wine & Spirits. For more information, visit www.sipsandseafood.com. Thank you to the many partners and sponsors who supported our event.

I was so touched learning more about Bluffton Self Help and hearing first hand from Ms. Josephine how BSH changed her life. It was such a great mix of amazing food and fun

entertainment, all for a good cause. I won’t miss it next year.

— Attendee

We are so excited and honored to be recognized in the Bluffton community. Thank you to everyone who nominated us and voted for Bluffton Self Help. We celebrate this with YOU.

Red Apron volunteers and staff members Julie Jones, Assistant Director, and Gwen Chambers, Community Outreach Manager, celebrate being selected 2017 Nonprofit of the Year by the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce.

Bluffton Self Help Executive Director Kimberly Hall (left) and Constance Martin-Witter, daughter of BSH founder Mrs. Ida Martin, accept a Best of Bluffton Award from Bluffton Today.

Platinum Platter SponsorsCoastal Signature HomesMr. and Mrs. Charlie and Dianne RussIn-Kind SponsorsJetBlueTito’s Handmade VodkaSouthern Barrel Brewing Co.Downtown Catering CompanyEthan AllenBelfair Fine Wine & SpiritsJLK EventsDJ Gary LuccaMedia SponsorBluffton Today

Gold Plate SponsorsPalmetto Electric CooperativeCoastal States BankSilver Savory SponsorsPaolo and Liz GrandjacquetDoug and Ronda AdamsonJack and Susan RobinsonWells FargoWalls InvestmentsThe Martin Family, in honor of Mrs. Ida MartinThe Reed GroupCoastal States Wealth ManagementMerrill Lynch Wealth ManagementThe Clark-Troutman Group

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:


VOLUNTEERSOur volunteers are individuals, families, senior citizens, corporate groups, religious organizations, school groups, and many others. Learn more about the variety of volunteer roles and skills needed at Bluffton Self Help:

Food Distribution• Prepare fresh produce for immediate distribution• Unload food distribution trucks and food donations• Inspecting, sorting and boxing food donations• Weighing and packaging food during food distribution• Recording weight of food for distribution

Clothing Distribution• Inspecting, sorting and labeling clothing• Bagging and discarding clothing for rag program• Checking out clothing selections with SWIPE Card

Client Support• Client registration and verification• Client check-out• Interview clients for financial assistance• Provide translation services

Office Support• Telephone/reception• Data entry & analysis• Project support• Event logistics

DONATIONSDonations are graciously accepted Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. In-kind donations of food and clothing are accepted. Unfortunately we cannot accept housewares, used toys, bedding or other household goods.

During Business Hours: Drive to the rear of the building, to the first garage door, and a volunteer will be happy to assist you with your donation.

After-Hours Donations: Please place your donation inside the donation box. There are donation boxes at the front and rear of the building.

By Mail: P.O. Box 2420, Bluffton, SC 29910

By Phone: To make your gift over the phone, please call (843) 757-8886.

Online: Please visit www.blufftonselfhelp.org and click on the “Donate” tab at the top of the page.

Amazon Wish List: Enjoy the convenience of shopping at home with our Amazon Wish List. Click on “Account & Lists” and then search for Bluffton Self Help.

HOW TO GIVE BACK

Special people like you and your staff caring for others make a wonderful

difference. What a great impact you make on our lives

at a great time of struggle for us ... We want you to know you’re appreciated.

You touched our lives in a wonderful way.

— FROM A CLIENT

Bluffton Self Help

Street Address: 39 Sheridan Park Circle, Suite #10

Bluffton, SC 29910

Mailing Address:P.O. Box 2420

Bluffton, SC 29910Phone: (843) 757-8000

E-mail: [email protected]

2017 annual report - bluffton self help · 2 bluffton self help • 2017 annual report a letter...

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