Posted on by Dave Phillips

A quick and easy win is great for individuals to get involved. The following list includes a group of low- or no-cost opportunities followed by 30+ examples of ways to support service provides by category.

Here are some no- or low-cost opportunities to get involved

  1. Give blood. Go to the Donate blood page on the Blood Connection’s website and put in your zip code or select a site based on their map interface. This will bring up a list of the nearby blood drives by date, time of day and location. Many of the blood drives allow you to schedule your visit, and they’re often are evening and weekend opportunities to give.
    Give Blood
  2. Sign up for “Be my eyes”.  This free app connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers and company representatives for visual assistance through a live video call. It doesn’t cost you anything, and you can participate only when you have availability. Check out what they do!
    Be My Eyes
  3. Social Media. Like or re-repost static sites of the organizations and/or causes you are excited about. It may be that the organization that is doing great work…is too busy doing that great work to update their website or Facebook or Instagram or blogging or Twitter or LinkedIn or Pinterest or WhatsApp or Reddit or YouTube or pick something else!
  4. Pray. Pray intentionally and specifically for the organizations and/or causes you are excited about. Ask others to do the same.
  5. Wish list. Fulfill some of the items on an organization’s wish list – some are through a program that includes delivery to the organization itself, or funding partnerships for specific items for the folks they’re working with.

Here’s a list by category that gives you some ideas to consider for either fulfilling wish list items or to put on your choice of social media. Check out our online resource guide for all organizations!

Assistance for Disability Access:

Elder Support

  • Alzheimer’s Association is on most social platforms – and you can like or follow or re-post them. Check out the links at the bottom of the publications page, which has a thoughtful report of the current costs of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s reports

Need Help:

  • Safe Harbor (Domestic Violence) has an Amazon wish list which you can access through their website: Shelter wish list or here: Walmart or here: Amazon.  This webpage also has contact information for staff that helps you determine what is useful to them in terms of larger or household items you may have on hand, as well as a list of drop locations and times they’re open.

If you need a meal:

  • Anderson’s Emergency Soup Kitchen has a wish list and a donation page here: https://andersonemergencykitchen.org/donations You can connect with them on Facebook, and they also have prayer requests on their site.
  • If you need a meal (Housebound): Check out options to support Meals on Wheels Anderson’s : volunteering/ or call 864.225.6800 to learn about setting up an intentional item drive or with things you may have on hand.

Supportive Services:

  • Empowering Families has a Get Involved page here: and they’re on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.
  • Pride Link has a Get Involved page here https://pridelink.org/get-involved, which includes a variety of programs.  They’re on Facebook and Instagram.
  • General Assistance: Anderson Adult Education Center:
    • For Anderson Districts 1 and 2: 214 Lebby Street Pelzer information about what they are doing is best found on their Facebook page: AdultEducationInPelzer – they do wonderful work in GED preparation, English as an additional language, WorkKeys and para-professional certifications.
    • For Anderson’s Districts 3, 4 and 5 their webpage is: https://www.anderson5.net/domain/881 and they have locations in Starr, Pendleton, and Anderson. It’s best to get in contact with the main office at 864.260.5075 to see what their current needs are for supplies and other support.

Legal Assistance:

  • South Carolina Legal Services: They have a get involved web page here: https://sclegal.org/get-involved/ and posts about a variety of issues that impact low-income folks. They’re on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. They host, for example, an annual neighbor day.
  • Veterans Services: Anderson is unusual in that it has a local veterans’ nursing home administered by the state, along with the M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery. To get some ideas on how you or a group could partner with Richard M Campbell’s activities, contact them directly at 864.261.6734 for current opportunities. You can support activities such as Wreaths Across America at the M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/14944/Overview by sponsoring or participating or inviting friends and family to do so.

Employment Assistance:

  • AIM (Anderson Interfaith Ministries): Check out the good work AIM does in its goal to accept, inspire and minister towards employment by contacting Nicole Schmidt, career and life advisor, via email or 864-958-0400 to see how you can partner with her.  They also are on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
  • Upstate Fatherhood Coalition Anderson: Volunteers are needed to help with mentoring and facilitating special group discussions. They also have events and fundraisers throughout the year. Check out their programs here: https://www.upstatefathers.org/enroll/ and they have an active Facebook page here or contact via email Cortney Burgess or by phone 864-346-2365 to learn what exciting programs he has ongoing.

Transportation:

  • You can let folks know that the Electric City Transit buses are permitted to leave its regular route up to ¾ of a mile to pick up or drop off senior or disabled citizens. To request this service call Electric City Transit at least an hour before you wish to travel at 864-231-7625 – or use the ready line if you are hearing impaired at 1-800-735-2905. Check this out here: https://www.cityofandersonsc.com/transit/
  • Transportation: Local bus tickets South Main Chapel & Mercy Center has local bus tickets until they run out each month – you can extend that period of time they still have them by donating here: South Main Chapel’s page with the donate button or access their Amazon wish list here: Amazon.   You can like them on Facebook, too!

Financial Assistance:

  • Self-Help Credit Union: Self-Help’s mission is to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity for all by providing responsible financial services; lending to individuals, small businesses and nonprofits. You can invest in them here: https://www.self-help.org/what-we-do/invest-with-us as well as share their posts and like them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Medical Assistance:

  • Anderson Free Clinic: they have volunteer opportunities across a range of times and skillsets: volunteer application  or call Michelle Nixon at 864-512-7809. They are also on Facebook.

Mental Health:

  • National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI): check out their get involved page here: https://www.nami.org/get-involved – our local one is here: Anderson’s NAMI and the NAMI annual Walk is just one way to raise awareness.
  • Anderson County also has a great resource in the Patrick B. Harris Psychiatric Hospital, and it has a wide range of volunteer opportunities including the Adopt-A-Lodge Program, Clothing Store Organizers, Library Assistants, Reception/Clerical, Horticulture Assistant, Musicians/Entertainers, Party Hosts, among others. Donations of men’s and women’s shoes and clothing (all sizes), personal care products, reading glasses, stamps/stationery/note cards, books/magazines, puzzles/games/playing cards, bingo prizes, and cash for patients’ activities are needed and appreciated. Call 864-965-9752, Sandra Jamison, Community Resources Development Coordinator for details.

Camps:

  • Wilderness Way Camp: Check out ways to help them here: get-involved best of all, if it’s summer, you can support them by eating ice cream – how easy is that? Call them at 864-972-0611 or email them. They’re also on Facebook to follow and like, and they have thrift shops in Anderson, Liberty, Pickens, Seneca, and Westminster that support their efforts.

Pregnancy Care:

  • Anderson Pregnancy Care at 1303 North Murray Avenue in Anderson has volunteer opportunities here: https://www.andersonpregnancycare.org/volunteer-2 or you can call them at 864-231-0077 to discuss things to donate as well as current volunteering needs. They are also on Facebook and Instagram.

For Youth:

  • Asociaciòn Hispano-Americana de Mujeres: Check out their get involved page  –  they have volunteer opportunities to support their mission of education opportunities for Hispanic youth.  Contact them via phone 864-402-4207 or email for current needs and ways to donate.
  • Anderson Area YMCA: The Y is always doing creative things for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.  And, as over-achievers, they are on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.  Plenty of opportunities to like and share them!
  • Asher House provides a safe place for youth and young adults ages 17-22 who are at risk for homelessness, in crisis situations or need help in identifying and implementing their goals. They host a drop in center, and an after-hours crisis line. Their wish list includes new blankets and towels/washcloths, hair brushes/combs, snack items for grab and go, water bottles, sleeping bags, warmth items, backpacks as well as Visa or Walmart gift cards for incentives. Big needs are a rental house or partnership, a computer for their computer lab along with blow up mattresses.  Contact them via phone 864-364-0465 or email for current needs and ways to donate. They are also on Instagram.

Personal Care/Warmth Items

  • Clean Start. Check out their supplies needed page here: how-you-can-help. You can bring items by 219 Townsend Street Anderson MWF before they open up at 7:30 am for their clients from about 6:45 am to 7:15 am.  If there are cars parked in the parking lot you can see from Murray, they’re there!
  • Discovery Center.  In Suite S02 at Anderson’s Mall, you’ll find Denise Loggins and other staff happy to serve those who need clothing, hygiene items and warmth items.  You can call Denise at 864.401.8060 ext 2 to see what items they have the most need for right now.

Clothing

  • St John’s UMC has a well-organized clothes closet for the community. You can contact Pat and Mike Smith, 864-760-0353, smitmike.smith@gmail.com or patsmith132@gmail.com to help them to assure that donations are displayed in an organized way using “store hangers” and size markers. Approximately a dozen volunteers work each Wednesday sorting, sizing, hanging, folding and displaying items that have been donated as well as assisting clients and helping with check-in/check-out. Some volunteers are members of St. John’s: others are welcome to come and work alongside their experienced volunteers – you can email or check it out here: Clothes Closet

Housing

Residential programs

  • Shalom House has opportunities to volunteer through driving the ladies to their appointments, help with painting, yard work or other projects, craft or activities, among others – you can check out some of the options here ways-to-help. There are also a number of fundraising events to participate in throughout the year. Shalom House is also on Facebook.
  • Home with a Heart always needs simple hygiene items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand soap, shampoo, shavers, shaving cream and underarm deodorant – all of which can be full size, as they are an in-residence program.  They also can use paper products such as toilet paper and paper towels, household items like Pine-Sol and light bulbs, as well as bath towels and twin-sized bedding.  All of their residents eat every day, and they can use coffee, sugar, tea, creamer, meats, vegetables and fruits – and any kind of prepared food item! You can check out how to help here.