50+ resources for those in need

It’s no secret that Columbia has a population of homeless and in-need men, women, children, teens + families – so, how do we help? What places around town offer emergency (and more long-term) access to food, clothing, financial assistance, transportation + health services?

We did a little digging and found several emergency service guides and organizations in Cola who provide resources for the homeless + in-need communities – and put those all together into one guide.

Print out or bookmark the full guide for easy access in the future. Then, if you find yourself needing resources or encounter someone who does, you’ll be ready.

As always, this is not a complete list. Send us resources so we can add to this guide.

Columbia organizations

Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless (MACH) coordinated by United Way of the Midlands

Services: Members of MACH and partnering companies have access to a statewide database called CMIS which has info about each partner, including what they supply for the homeless community (ex: ColaTown Bike Collective provides transportation/bikes), hours + more.

Hours: Phone line open 24/7

Location: 1818 Blanding St.

Contact: Call 2-1-1 for non-emergency service information or visit SC211.org for resources

Homeless No More

Services: Transitional housing through St. Lawrence Place + long-term affordable housing for families

Location: 2711 Middleburg Dr., Suite 308

Contact: (803)-602-6379

The Alston Wilkes Society (AWS)

Services: Rehabilitative + Prevention

Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Location: 3519 Medical Drive

Contact: (803) 799-2490

Transitions Homeless Center

Services: Emergency housing, meals + showers

Hours: Open 24/7

Location: 2025 Main St.

Contact: (803) 708-4861

Sistercare

Services: Resource connection for victims of domestic violence

Contact: crisis line: (803) 765-9428 open 24/7; non-emergency: (803) 926-0505

The Women’s Shelter

Services: Emergency housing + programming for women

Hours: Call between 10 a.m. + 4 p.m. Mon.- Fri. to set up an interview

Location: 3425 N. Main St.

Contact: (803) 779-4706

Loaves and Fishes

Services: Newsletter with resources + information for the homeless

Location: Where to find a copy

Contact: homelesscolumbia@gmail.com

Palmetto Place Children’s Shelter

Services: Housing and care for abused and neglected children + unaccompanied teens

Hours: Open 24/7; Call 803-786-6819 for inquiries

Location: P.O. Box 3395, Columbia, S.C. 29230

Contact: director@palmettoplaceshelter.org

Cooperative Ministry

Services: Various services including a food bank, clothing bank and crisis assistance + support

Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Location: 3821 W Beltline Blvd.

Contact: 803-799-3853

Free Medical Clinic Inc.

Services: Healthcare + other medical services to residents who cannot afford medical/hospital bills or do not have insurance

Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8 a.m-5 p.m.; Fri., 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Location: 1875 Harden St.

Contact: 803-765-1503

Oliver Gospel Mission

Services: Emergency shelter, recovery program + much more

Hours: Open 24/7

Location: 1100 Taylor St.

Contact: ‍‍‍803-254-6470

Hannah House

Services: Shelter for women and children

Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Location: 1726 Sumter St.

Contact: 803-771-4357

St. Lawrence Place

Services: Emergency shelter for families + program to help them get back on their feet

Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Location: 2400 Waites Rd.

Contact: 803-256-3999

Christ Central Ministries

Services: Food, clothing, showers + laundry facility

Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sun., 8-10 a.m.

Location: 2401 Main St.

Contact: 803-765-1998

Soup Cellar

Services: Providing lunch on weekdays

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Location: 1401 Washington St.

Contact: 803-256-2417

Zarephath Life & Dream Global Center

Services: Day center, food, life + work skills counseling

Location: 1823 Gregg St.

Contact: 803-212-7056 or 803-443-2160 for services

MIRCI (Mental Illness Recovery Center, Inc.)

Services: Services for those recovering from severe mental illness and/or emotional disorders, including financial management, housing, homeless outreach + more

Location: P.O. Box 4246 Columbia, S.C. 29240

Contact: 803-786-1844 or mail@mirci.org

MIRCI Youth Drop-in Center

Services: Serves youth 17-24 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless

Location: 1433 Gregg Street, Columbia, S.C.

Hours: M-F, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and weekends + holidays 12-6pm.

Contact: (803) 799-0331

Stepping Stone Ministry halfway house

Services: Stepping Stone Ministry is a non-profit organization, known locally for their thrift store, that focuses on the wellbeing of those recovering from addiction. They offer halfway housing for residents seeking a better way of life.

Location: 1916 Augusta Rd.

Contact: 803-794-1786

Stepping Stone for Women

Services: Stepping Stone offers a halfway house specifically for women, and includes Bible studies, morning devotions, weekly services, AA and NA meetings. For more information, including how to apply for housing, click here.

Location: 1916 Augusta Rd.

Contact: 803-794-1786

His House Ministry

Services: Residential, in-house recovery and rehabilitation for recovering alcoholic men.

Location: 764 Meeting St.

Contact: 803-791-0557

Oxford Housing

Services: Self-run recovery homes for those suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction.

Location: 2304 Hertford Dr.

Contact: 803-772-7010

Bethel House

Services: Safe, drug free, transitional housing for men in recovery.

Location: 140 Flora Drive

Contact: 803-221-2823

Vision Property Management

Services: Affordable lease-to-own housing for those who don’t have great credit.

Location: 16 Berryhill Rd.

Contact: 888-466-7932

William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Services: Offering medical services, supportive housing, and other opportunities to veterans.

Location: 6439 Garners Ferry Rd.

Contact: 803-776-4000

New Light Transitional Home

Services: Transitional housing for homeless veterans and newly released inmates.

Location: 232 Lancer Dr.

Contact: 803-404-9085

U-Turn Calvary Church

Services: Residential rehabilitation center for men dealing with addiction.

Location: 1156 Barr Rd.

Contact: 803-951-2197, 803-951-2273

City of Columbia Police Department | (803) 545-3500

Richland County EMS | 911

Additional guides for services across the Midlands

Richland Library’s Emergency Services Guide
Homeless Shelter Directory in Richland County
Soup kitchens + shelters in Richland County
Richland County South Carolina assistance programs
DrugRehab.com

Printable guides (click title to download)

One of the simplest ways to help the homeless is to keep what I’ve heard most people call “blessing bags” in your car at all times. The bags are usually large Ziploc bags with basic hygiene necessities, protein bars, first aid kits + maybe even a clean t-shirt. With winter temperatures rolling in, it’s also helpful to have extra scarves, gloves + blankets on hand.

–Megan