Carolina Cares Initiative
A direct-aid program of The Poston Foundation
Help South Carolinians in Need. Fund Practical Essentials Kits.
Carolina Cares combines practical Essentials Kits with proactive community outreach to help essential resources reach South Carolinians experiencing hardship—including people whose immediate needs may otherwise go unseen or unmet. Donations support practical supplies, preparation, direct and partner-supported outreach, distribution, documentation, and accountable program operations.
We do not simply prepare Essentials Kits. We work to place practical help closer to where unmet need actually exists.
South Carolina 501(c)(3) Public CharityEIN 85-0559047Columbia, South CarolinaSecure giving through Zeffy
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Use the secure Zeffy campaign below to make a one-time or recurring charitable contribution to The Poston Foundation.
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Practical Help.Directly Delivered.Carefully Documented.
Why Carolina Cares Works Differently
Reaching need that can be easy to miss.
Traditional distribution points remain an important part of the community safety net. Carolina Cares was built around a complementary observation: access to assistance does not always correspond to the severity of need.
During the original 2020 Carolina Cares response, volunteers saw firsthand that people who were newly homeless, isolated, unfamiliar with available resources, or otherwise outside normal service channels could be difficult to reach through conventional distribution alone. Carolina Cares responded by going directly into the community—including documented nighttime outreach—to identify immediate needs and provide practical support.
That experience continues to inform the program today. The objective is not to decide who is “deserving.” It is to improve distribution equity by recognizing that people facing the greatest vulnerability can also face the greatest barriers to obtaining or safely retaining useful resources.
Our operating principle: Do not measure success only by how many items leave a distribution table. Ask whether practical assistance reached people facing real, immediate need.
South Carolina Direct Aid
Immediate needs require practical responses.
The absence of basic necessities can affect health, dignity, mobility, self-presentation, and a person's ability to attend work, school, appointments, or other essential activities. Need can become especially acute when households face several pressures at once, including unstable housing, transportation barriers, health expenses, job disruption, or limited access to nearby services.
These statewide indicators provide context and do not describe every Carolina Cares recipient or community. They illustrate economic pressure under which basic necessities can become difficult to afford. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: South Carolina (2020–2024 ACS estimates; July 1, 2025 population estimate).
Carolina Cares Essentials Kits
Practical support for immediate resource gaps.
Essentials Kits are flexible practical-support packages. Contents are selected according to community need, season, supply availability, distribution context, pricing, donated supplies, and available funding.
Hygiene & Personal Care
Soap, oral-care products, wipes, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizer, and other appropriate personal-care items.
Clothing Basics
Clean socks and other practical items selected for season and distribution context.
Health & Safety
Basic first-aid supplies and other appropriate protective or seasonal items.
Food & Water
Shelf-stable snacks, bottled water, simple protein items, and similar ready-to-use provisions.
Seasonal Support
Cold-weather, heat-relief, rain, or other weather-appropriate items when suitable.
Resource Information
Reasonably current local service information where appropriate and practical.
Campaign Video
See the Carolina Cares Initiative.
Watch the current Carolina Cares campaign video for a concise overview of the initiative and its practical direct-aid focus.
Watch on YouTubeProgram Boundary
Relief at a Critical Moment
Carolina Cares Essentials Kits are designed to meet immediate practical needs with dignity and efficiency. They are not represented as substitutes for housing, employment, medical care, education, case management, or long-term social services. Their role is narrower and concrete: placing useful essentials directly into the hands of people experiencing immediate resource gaps while providing relevant resource information when appropriate.
Direct outreach supplements—not replaces—shelters, social workers, housing programs, health providers, public agencies, and other organizations equipped to address longer-term needs.
Carolina Cares Direct Outreach Model
Identify. Reach. Assist. Connect.
This field model explains how Carolina Cares seeks to move practical aid toward unmet need while operating within available resources, safety requirements, program scope, and appropriate community partnerships.
Identify Unmet Need
Use direct observation, referrals, community relationships, partner information, and other appropriate sources to recognize immediate practical barriers and distribution gaps.
Reach the Community
When appropriate and operationally feasible, bring assistance closer to where people are rather than relying exclusively on centralized distribution.
Assist at the Immediate Barrier
Provide an Essentials Kit or other approved practical support appropriate to the circumstances, available resources, safety considerations, and program scope.
Connect & Document
Offer relevant resource information or community connections when appropriate and maintain reasonable program records while protecting recipient dignity and privacy.
Program Administration
A six-step operating cycle built for accountability.
The Direct Outreach Model explains how Carolina Cares seeks to reach unmet need. This administrative cycle explains how The Poston Foundation manages the resources entrusted to the program—from receiving support and procuring supplies through distribution, documentation, and reporting.
Receive Support
Accept grants, charitable contributions, sponsorships, and approved in-kind supplies.
Procure Supplies
Purchase or receive practical essentials responsive to need, season, pricing, supply availability, and distribution conditions.
Assemble Kits
Prepare standardized or semi-standardized Carolina Cares Essentials Kits using documented supply categories.
Distribute Aid
Provide kits directly or through suitable community touchpoints and partner-supported distributions.
Document Activity
Maintain appropriate records of funds, purchases, supplies, kit preparation, in-kind support, and distribution activity.
Report Results
Prepare concise narrative and financial summaries comparing planned activity, actual activity, outputs, and lessons learned.
What Your Donation Helps Fund
A $30,000 twelve-month program framework.
Donations support approved program costs as funding allows, with the largest share directed to practical Essentials Kit supplies and related direct costs.
Essentials Kit Supplies
Hygiene and personal-care items, clothing basics, first-aid supplies, food, water, seasonal items, resource materials, and related contents.
Kit Preparation
Packing materials, organization, labeling, and assembly needs.
Distribution
Local transportation, storage, printing, distribution support, and other direct project needs.
Documentation & Accountability
Donation tracking, recordkeeping, budget-to-actual review, reporting, communications, compliance support, and limited program administration.
| Budget category | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials Kit supplies | Hygiene, personal care, clothing basics, first-aid, food, water, seasonal items, resource materials, and related kit contents. | $25,000 |
| Distribution & other direct costs | Packing materials, local transportation, printing, storage, distribution support, and other direct needs. | $3,000 |
| Administrative & indirect support | Donation tracking, recordkeeping, reporting, communications, compliance support, and limited administration. | $2,000 |
| Total | Twelve-month Carolina Cares Essentials Kits program framework. | $30,000 |
Approximately 93% of the proposed budget is allocated to direct program costs, including kit supplies, packaging, printed materials, and distribution logistics; approximately 7% supports limited administrative infrastructure.
The proposed budget includes no salaries, fringe benefits, capital equipment, construction, contracts, or subawards.
Campaign and Program Funding
How the $5,000 campaign fits the $30,000 plan.
The current $5,000 online campaign is an initial launch-funding effort within a broader twelve-month Carolina Cares program framework budgeted at $30,000.
Current Online Launch Campaign
The live Zeffy fundraising goal provides initial launch support for Essentials Kits and related program needs.
Twelve-Month Program Framework
The broader approved funding plan covers kit supplies, distribution and other direct costs, and limited administrative support.
Planning assumptions, not guarantees
Current planning assumption: approximately $25 in direct supply costs per Carolina Cares Essentials Kit. Actual costs and kit contents may vary based on item selection, purchasing conditions, donated supplies, season, availability, and distribution needs.
Based on current planning assumptions, The Poston Foundation is working toward the capacity to prepare and distribute approximately 1,000 Essentials Kits during a fully funded twelve-month period, contingent on funding, procurement conditions, supply availability, donated supplies, distribution conditions, and operational readiness.
Measurement & Accountability
Success will be recorded, not merely described.
Outputs
Kits prepared and distributed; supplies purchased or donated; distribution activities completed.
Financial
Funds received, expenditures documented, and budget-to-actual financial performance reviewed.
Participation
Volunteers, sponsors, businesses, and community partners involved, where applicable.
Operations
Receipts, invoices, purchase records, supply and inventory logs, kit-preparation records, distribution records, and in-kind contribution records maintained where practical.
Privacy
Recipient dignity and privacy protected; unnecessary identifying information is not collected or published.
Reporting
Project-period reporting compares planned activities, actual activity, outputs, financial performance, and lessons learned.
Carolina Cares Essentials Kit Sponsorship
Business and community sponsorships.
Organizations and individuals can strengthen practical South Carolina direct-aid work through charitable sponsorship at five levels.
Community Sponsor
$250Name acknowledgment on the website, with consent; e-newsletter acknowledgment if issued.
Supporting Sponsor
$500Community Sponsor acknowledgments plus name acknowledgment on select recognition materials when used; digital supporter badge upon request; event acknowledgment when applicable.
Impact Sponsor
$1,000Supporting Sponsor acknowledgments plus logo acknowledgment on the website, with consent, and a social media thank-you when appropriate.
Lead Sponsor
$2,500Impact Sponsor acknowledgments plus logo acknowledgment on event signage when used and a featured charitable-supporter thank-you when applicable.
Presenting Sponsor
$5,000Lead Sponsor acknowledgments plus prominent charitable-supporter acknowledgment and a public thank-you at an event when applicable.
Sponsor recognition is an acknowledgment of charitable support, not advertising, endorsement, or guaranteed promotional exposure. Recognition may vary with consent, timing, available channels, and event plans.
Other Ways to Participate
Support the work beyond an online donation.
In-Kind Support
Businesses and community partners may offer appropriate supplies through prior coordination so donations match current needs, storage capacity, season, and distribution plans.
Discuss an in-kind contributionCommunity Partnership
Businesses, churches, civic groups, service organizations, and community partners can support local charities through suitable distribution, referral, and program collaboration.
Partner with Carolina CaresVolunteer Support
Volunteer support may help prepare kits, organize supplies, and support local operations when opportunities are available.
Explore volunteer opportunitiesClear Answers
Questions about giving, local nonprofit support, and Carolina Cares.
These answers explain the program, how gifts are used, and how people searching for practical ways to support a South Carolina nonprofit can participate.
What is the Carolina Cares Initiative?
Carolina Cares is The Poston Foundation's South Carolina direct-aid program. It helps fund practical Essentials Kits and related charitable support for people experiencing hardship, instability, or immediate resource gaps.
How do I make a Carolina Cares donation?
Use the secure Zeffy campaign embedded on this page for a one-time or recurring gift. A direct Zeffy link remains available if the embed does not load.
Can I donate hygiene kits or make hygiene kit donations?
Yes. Donations help fund Carolina Cares Essentials Kits that may include hygiene and personal-care items along with other practical essentials. Appropriate in-kind hygiene products may also be considered through prior coordination.
Can I donate care packages or donate care kits?
Carolina Cares uses the name Essentials Kits, but donors searching for care packages or care kits can support the same practical direct-aid model through the Carolina Cares campaign.
Can businesses donate hygiene products, donate essential items, or donate supplies to charity through Carolina Cares?
Businesses and community partners may contact The Poston Foundation about appropriate in-kind supplies. Acceptance should be coordinated so donated items match current kit needs, storage capacity, season, and distribution plans.
Can I donate to families in need or donate to people in need through Carolina Cares?
Yes. Carolina Cares is designed to provide practical direct aid to individuals and families across South Carolina facing hardship, housing instability, financial stress, short-term crisis, or other immediate resource gaps.
Can I donate to local charity programs through The Poston Foundation?
Yes. Carolina Cares is a South Carolina-focused program of The Poston Foundation, a Columbia-based 501(c)(3) public charity.
I am comparing local charities to donate to. What makes Carolina Cares different?
Carolina Cares combines practical Essentials Kits with a direct-outreach model developed through community service beginning in 2020. Rather than relying exclusively on centralized distribution, the program can bring assistance closer to where unmet need exists and help reach individuals who may face barriers to accessing conventional resources.
The goal is not to replace shelters, social workers, housing programs, health care, employment services, or other long-term support. Carolina Cares fills a narrower role: addressing immediate practical resource gaps, improving access to useful essentials, and connecting people with additional community resources when appropriate.
The program also uses a documented operating process for procurement, preparation, distribution, financial accountability, privacy, and reporting.
Can I donate to charity near me through The Poston Foundation?
The Poston Foundation is headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, and Carolina Cares is focused on practical direct aid within South Carolina.
How can I support local charities or support local nonprofit work?
You can donate, sponsor Carolina Cares Essentials Kits, provide approved in-kind support, volunteer when opportunities are available, or discuss a community partnership.
How are local nonprofit donations used?
Donations support approved supplies, kit preparation, packing materials, distribution, documentation, and related charitable operations as funding allows. The twelve-month program framework budgets $25,000 for kit supplies, $3,000 for distribution and other direct costs, and $2,000 for limited administrative and indirect support.
I searched for nonprofit organizations near me or charity organizations near me. Where is The Poston Foundation?
The Poston Foundation is a South Carolina 501(c)(3) public charity headquartered at 1901 Main Street, 18th Floor #4040, Columbia, South Carolina 29201.
How do I donate to nonprofit programs through The Poston Foundation?
Use the Carolina Cares donation form on this page. The live Zeffy campaign is the primary online giving mechanism for the Carolina Cares Initiative.
How can I support South Carolina nonprofit direct-aid work?
A contribution to Carolina Cares helps fund practical Essentials Kits, preparation, distribution, and accountable program operations in South Carolina.
How can I donate to South Carolina charity programs through Carolina Cares?
Donate securely through the Carolina Cares campaign on this page. Contributions support practical direct aid within the program's approved scope.
Is The Poston Foundation a Columbia SC nonprofit and Columbia SC charity?
The Poston Foundation is a South Carolina nonprofit corporation and IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.
How can I donate to charity Columbia SC programs through Carolina Cares?
Use the secure Carolina Cares form on this page. The Poston Foundation is Columbia-based and Carolina Cares serves practical direct-aid needs within South Carolina.
Does Zeffy require an additional platform contribution?
Zeffy may invite donors to make an optional contribution to support its platform. That optional amount is separate from the charitable contribution to The Poston Foundation.
Does $25 guarantee one complete Essentials Kit?
No. Approximately $25 is currently used as a planning assumption for direct kit supply costs. Actual cost and contents vary with purchasing conditions, donated supplies, season, availability, and distribution needs.
Support Carolina Cares
Help fund practical support in South Carolina.
Donate securely, sponsor Carolina Cares Essentials Kits, or partner with The Poston Foundation to support disciplined, dignity-centered direct aid and proactive community outreach.
Want to see where the approach came from? Explore the documented 2020 Carolina Cares field record.