Together we change lives for the better!

Galatians 6:2 is a Veteran founded nonprofit organization that provides assistance to the hungry & unsheltered homeless in South Carolina's Richland and Kershaw Counties.  Our campaign is raising money to fund a community food pantry in Elgin, SC and homeless day center. Ultimately we strive to have our own permanent facility that incorporates transitional housing for homeless female veterans. Our team consists of me and my husband Earnest the founders, both retired Army Veterans. Our board is composed of  four women, Cassandra Matos, Teacher; Tamika Haley, Veteran and  Veteran Advocate, Susie Bryant, Veteran, Professor of English and Author, Patricia Stewart, Veteran and Financial Manager. 

We have more than 12,000 homeless men women and children in the state of South Carolina according to the 2019 South Carolina Homelessness Report.  There are just under 6,000 beds designated for the homeless via homeless shelters throughout the state.  The homeless fall into two categories of homelessness, sheltered and unsheltered. The unsheltered make up 41% of the homeless population in the state. This basically means they are living in the elements or a structure unsuitable for living. Youth under the age of eighteen make up 18% of the state’s homeless population. Galatians 6:2 provides assistance and resources primarily to the unsheltered homeless throughout the state. We supply unsheltered homeless citizens with food, toiletries, inclement weather supplies and various comfort items.

Monthly we select an unsheltered homeless community and hold a "Bless Somebody Else Day" we set up tents, tables and chairs adjacent to the homeless community. We serve hot meals, play games and provide a variety of services based on the volunteers accompanying us. We distribute clothing, shoes, toiletries and nonperishables. Most of the people we serve do not have access to the local shelters. They lack transportation and/or aren’t within close proximity to public transportation. Many are homeless because the cost of living is outside of their job earnings. Additionally, we have partnered with various veteran organizations in SC and NC to provide furniture items to  veterans transitioning out of homelessness into independent living.  We are able to accomplish this due to  our partnership with a local furniture store. Bad luck can fall on any of us at any time. Some times a helping hand and kind word can make all the difference in a person's life.

In the wake of COVID-19 we have added personal protective equipment to our blessing bags.  We also provide groceries and toiletries  to the elderly and homebound in our immediate community.  There are more than 800,000 people experiencing food insecurity in SC. Of that number 28% are children. In partnership with other nonprofits we have adopted a school district and provide food for the children to take home over theweekend to ensure they don't miss a meal.

What's in the Bags you ask? Well, our grocery bags vary we include breakfast, lunch and dinner meal items for a week for a family of four such as canned chicken or tuna, pasta, spaghetti sauce, cereal or oatmeal, canned vegetables, rice or mashed potatoes, dessert items. If we are lucky we can also include produce donated by local farmers or food banks.

Our unsheltered homeless bags consist of toiletries such as deoderant, wipes, tissue, body wash, tooth paste, tooth brush, lotion. Our bags also include socks, hats, gloves (depending on season) first aid kits, ponchos, blankets, tents, sleeping mats, PPE, nonperishable food items or grocery/food gift cards.