By Paige Youmans
Imagine being unable to pay your utility bill to keep your fans running during a sweltering, southern summer heatwave or being unable to heat your home in frigid temperatures. Or, suppose that your household supplies are running low and you are unable to feed your spouse and children. Where would you turn in the event of a catastrophic disaster with little to no support system?
Many in the greater Chapin and Newberry areas have regained their footing and retained their dignity through the loving supportive staff and volunteers at the We Care Center. This non-profit program meets the needs of local families and assists in connecting with service providers by “providing food and financial support with dignity and compassion to anyone in need.” An unabashedly Christian organization, the We Care Center seeks to connect with disadvantaged families, on both an emotional and spiritual level.
Founded in 1986 as a collaborative interfaith vision of local churches, the We Care Center centralized services and coordinated efforts to serve the citizens of the local area. Since its inception, the center has grown to encompass the efforts of more than 30 churches, organizations and business partners in the greater Chapin community. These generous donors provide consistent financial stability and continuous food donations while the We Care Center provides a centralized location to refer those in need. This infrastructure ensures that immediate needs are met, allowing a more balanced distribution of food and services, thereby streamlining, focusing, and multiplying the effectiveness of each donation.
Drawing from a career in nonprofit and social service work, We Care Center Executive Director Alecia Klauk seeks to ensure that every person who enters their doors is treated with dignity and respect; she strives to ensure that each individual “feels the dignity of being loved well.” The staff and volunteers spend time with each person to understand their unique situation and determine how they can meet their needs in a discreet, timely, and efficient manner. Providing compassionate sensitivity undergirds the trust and relationships between the client and staff. In fact, Klauk recounts how they have walked alongside some of their clients through tragedy, including attending funerals, following up with families, and providing prayer and spiritual support when a family has suffered a devastating loss. Summarizing her philosophy regarding a support network for clients when tragedy strikes, Klauk says the We Care Center seeks to “build relationships, not just fill bellies”, while praying clients will have their “hearts filled with the love of Jesus.”
Under the leadership of Klauk, the We Care Center has seen tremendous growth in donors and the families it serves. In 2023 the program distributed 500,000 pounds of food worth over $2 million to 15,000 people while contributing $150,000 toward utility bills for clients. Through its annual holiday programs, the We Care Center provided over 1,100 people with Thanksgiving meals and 500 children with Christmas presents.
As the population grows exponentially in the Midlands area, the essential needs of neighboring communities have likewise continued to grow. Fortunately, the generosity and compassion of faithful, local donors has met the increasing budgetary needs of the We Care Center. Although the center receives food donations from the USDA and Harvest Hope Food Bank, this food provision only accounts for 15% of the pantry’s inventory. Because it does not receive government funding, the We Care Center relies heavily on its independent fundraising campaigns and collaborative networking efforts along with corporate com- munity donors for the bulk of its resources. As you can see, the community has answered the call and continually supports the vision and programs of the center, allowing more underprivileged families to be reached, both physically and spiritually.
The We Care Center has expanded its services beyond food distribution and financial aid for utility bills to include a holistic approach to care, supplementing with nutritional support and cooking classes, academic scholarships, assistance for transportation and fuel, and chair yoga offerings. To reach designated impoverished areas, the center dispatches a weekly mobile pantry to distribute to an expanded service area. Also, beyond partnering with local grocery stores for food donations, the We Care Center has collaborated with St. Francis Thrift Store for additional supplies and the Good Samaritan Health Clinic for health care visits. Being aware that government benefits do not always cover every type of product for every client, the center has set aside storage space for toiletries, paper products, cleaners, dish and laundry detergent, and over-the-counter medicines.
If you are interested in assisting those in need within the community, the We Care Center also welcomes groups and individuals to join their cause by volunteering. Visit their social media pages and website for current information and sign up to receive newsletters containing lists of requested items, immediate needs, and upcoming benefit events. At this time of the year, the staff and volunteers at the We Care Center are preparing for the holidays, actively seeking sponsors for Christmas gifts. Conversely, if you or someone you know is in need of emergency services or basic necessities, please contact the compassionate servants at the We Care Center. Appointments are not required, and client confidentiality is maintained for those it serves.
We Care Center
803-345-3244
