How to KARE
KARE could not exist without the generosity of others. We will always be grateful to the countless folks who volunteer their time, coordinate food drives, connect us with partners, contribute financially, donate items to the store, hold fundraisers, and all the other ways they show they KARE.
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​To highlight the selfless commitment of our volunteer change agents, KARE created the “I KARE” volunteer movement. This movement brings together people of all backgrounds and skill sets to work together for the benefit of helping our neighbors in need. It includes long-term volunteers, new volunteers, families, businesses, civic organizations, schools, and more and embodies Christ’s words to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Volunteer
KARE offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for anyone interested in helping KARE succeed. Volunteers are always needed in the following areas:
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Clothing Sales - Working in the front of the store running the cash register, opening dressing rooms, answering customers' questions and more.
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Clothing Sort - Working in the backroom of the store, sorting through donations, pricing items, etc.
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Food Pantry - Distributing food items to clients, helping organize items in the pantry, etc.
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Warehouse - Sorting through donations, organizing distribution line, packing food boxes, etc.
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Food Courier (Truck Drivers) - Driving to pick up food donations/purchases and helping sort on the truck. Must be 25+ and have a clean driving record and be able to lift 50lbs.
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Client Services - When our clients come in for assistance, they deserve to see a caring, compassionate, individual. Our Client Services department welcomes clients and assists in processing food orders and helping determine assistance programs available for them.
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Home Repair - Youth Serve is always looking for skilled workers to assist on job sites during the summer program. Workers do home repair jobs such as roofing, painting, wheelchair ramp construction and more.
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Special Events - We host a couple of fundraisers each year and participate in various community functions and it's nice to have volunteers to assist with these events.
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We also have opportunities for youth groups and civic organizations to volunteer individually or as a group
– contact us for more information.
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All volunteers must fill out an application per KARE's Volunteer Policy. You may obtain an application in person at 210 E. Marion Street, Kershaw, SC, or fill it out online here.
Donate
Donations are critical to our programs. Every item/dollar/pantry item donated to KARE translates into more services and assistance we can give our clients. Here's how YOUR donations impact the organization and community:
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Donation of gently used clothing and home items - These items are sold in our store at a very low cost (some of the lowest we've seen in our area) providing affordable items to customers trying to stretch a dollar. Money from the store then feeds back into the organization, offsetting operating costs and helping with programs and services for our clients. We accept donations Tuesday - Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-2pm.
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Donation of food - Donated pantry items help fill the food boxes we give to clients daily. In one month, KARE packs and distributes approximately 400 boxes of shelf stable items. These boxes accompany bread, meat, and a box of produce. One of our food boxes costs approximately $25 - that's just the shelf stable items. Any items donated help supplement the items we have to purchase, thus stretching our dollars to serve more clients.
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Financial donations - What non-profit organization can't use financial donations? We work really hard to keep a trim budget and be responsible with any and all funds that come our way. Grants often cover some of our expenses, but we see a growing need in our area each year. Financial contributions are 100% tax deductible and can be made either to our general fund or earmarked for a specific area of service - Food Pantry, Financial Assistance, Home Repair, etc. We accept online giving through PayPal To give, please click the "Donate" button at the top of your screen.
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