Food for the Soul KC will expand its shelter service for the homeless starting August 1.

FFTS Director Darlene Thomas said the expansion has been made possible due to a grant from HUD and a generous donation from 1st Franklin Financial. Starting August 1, FFTS will open four nights a week, Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. as an emergency shelter. All Kershaw County residents who find themselves homeless due to domestic violence, fire, flood, eviction or chronic homelessness will have a place to lay their heads, Thomas said. 

Guests wishing to take advantage of this service will need to arrive no later than 7:30 p.m. and will exit the facility at 7 a.m.; this will allow staff to prepare for opening of normal business hours, Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 pm, she said.

 “FFTS Day Center allows men, women, and children to have access to showers, laundry, breakfast and lunch,” Thomas said.  “These services are provided not only to the homeless in our county, but to those living in poverty. Often our services are used as a supplement, so that guests can afford necessary living expenses such as bills and prescriptions, otherwise unaffordable.”

 FFTS celebrated its fifth anniversary this past December, Thomas noted.

“We have been proud and honored to help those less fortunate of Kershaw County,” Thomas said. “We have not done this alone. We have been extremely blessed by our Community and its contributions.”

2015 Food for the Soul accomplishments include the following:

11,371 Lunches served

Opened 56 nights of Cold Weather Sheltering, when the temperature dropped to 36 degrees and below, giving the residents of Kershaw County a safe haven to get out of the cold.

Provided 175 nights to individuals and families suffering homelessness due to a crisis. This number included 48 men, 62 women and 81children.

The Mission of FftS is to serve as a Christ-like Ministry to meet the basic needs of the hungry and homeless of Kershaw County.  FftS is a United Way Partner Agency.

FFTS Center is open to the public from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tuesday - Friday. Visit the center or contact facility Director Darlene Thomas at 803-432-4771 to make a donation or volunteer. Visit the website www.food forthesoulkc.org or on Facebook.