When we buy local, on a basic level, more money stays in our community, which is an efficient way…read moreto make a community economy thrive. Lowcountry Local First's efforts have helped shift the balance of national franchises with locally-owned businesses. Their work is why the streets of Charleston look like Charleston and not a generic American city. I know that my membership and donations go towards supporting a movement to help keep Charleston Charleston. This organization provides a broad group of services to support Charleston's economy. There's the "Buy Local" movement, with awareness campaigns, research studies, marketing, etc. They also do a LOT of work to help us eat locally-grown food by creating an incubator farm (called DirtWorks) , a farm apprentice program, farm tours, "eat local" month, and more. They put on the Chef's Potluck, which is a fantastic event at Middleton Place each year that pairs top local chefs with farmers to create table after table of small plates with all local ingredients. The new LocalWorks office provides budding entrepreneurs or at-home workers a place to co-work in a beautiful environment with lots of shared office services and help promoting those businesses. Plus, the monthly member mixers are fantastic networking opportunities for my small business! What would Charleston be without LLF?

From the owner: Lowcountry Local First cultivates an economy anchored in local ownership, because local-independent…read morebusinesses are the cornerstone of our culture, economy, and character.

The problem with these places is there are a good bit of disabled and elderly that could use the…read moreassistance and they have no one and no way to get there to receive help, and these places don't have anything plan to help them or find ppl that may be able to deliver. So a lot of those in need go without

Once a month I come here with my family to do a "packing party" where all the kids work together to…read moreprovide meals for less fortunate children. The process is very streamlined, with kids broken in to groups for boxing, packing, and all other assorted tasks. At the end of the day, hundreds of packages are prepared and ready to go out to those in need. Children helping children. Families helping families.

This place helped me a while back when I was struggling to live on my own for a few days, Thank you…read moreto the staff for allowing me to sleep on the stone bench outside the space.

One80 Place is a wonderful organization that does so much great work for those that need it the…read moremost in Charleston. I have had a really positive experience every time that I have volunteered here. Everything is well run and organized here and they go all out to help. Happy that this resource is here for those that need it.

This is a wonderful place to shop for used furniture and home related items. The Habitat for…read moreHumanity Foundation is such a wonderful cause and your purchases help assist their mission. If you have used household items you no longer need or want to keep, please consider donating them here.

We were shopping for fun antiques and some old pictures for my friend's housetoday. I was told that…read morethis is a good place to try. Sometimes Habitat for Humanity gets new merchandise in for homes that doesn't work with their build, and that stuff ends up at one of these stores. There is quite a bit of old furniture and lights for your homes, and even a sink or two! You can get some good deals here. I looked through all the old frames for some artwork, tons of glassware is here, old books, lots of small picture frames, a good place to stop and look around for a new treasure. Proceeds help this organization.

The MUSC Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization developed in 1966 to support education,…read moreresearch, patient care, and other initiatives at the Medical University of South Carolina. There are many "funds" within the Foundation to which you can donate monies and receive tax deductions, all while helping to preserve and assist the mission. You can support the College as well as MUSC Health in its endeavors. I have been an employee of the Medical University Hospital for many years and have seen first hand the impact that this organization can bring to improving the care we provide every day. You can get quite a bit of information on-line, or you can contact them directly. Tom Anderson is the current CEO, Robyn Frampton is the COO/CFO, and Carlos Evans is the Chairman of the Board. The main office is on Bee Street downtown, but you can easily call the main office at 843-792-2677 and they would be happy to assist in any way possible.

My husband and I adopted two kittens here a few days ago. As soon as we walked in the staff kindly…read moregreeted us and told us the layout. There were 4 rooms of kittens. They said we could get any kitten out to meet them just don't put them on the floor. We made 2 laps looking at everyone. So many sweet babies to pick from and we were looking for particular personalities. Once we picked two the staff checked the medical records to make sure they were currently due for anything before we left. Because it's currently kitten season and they have a ton of kittens, all kittens were half off. So we got two for $175. Already fixed, vaccinated, and microchipped. The facility was very clean, easy to find, and professionally ran. It was a great experience. As we left there was a family with kids that came to read books to the kittens, so sweet!

I mean I am so happy that they have this available. You should be able to take care of your pets…read morefor an affordable price. They offer affordable prices. Or someone on a very low budget emergency vets are basically the same price as almost as human surgery. I understand they are doctors. Vets are doctors and I am grateful so thank you for saving my fur babies life

The Greenheart Project is an Urban farm to school mentorship program. It began in 2009, as a small…read moregarden at one of the local Title -1 elementary schools in the downtown Charleston area that was noted in a food desert. With the cooperation of community and schools, a beautiful project has expanded into a work of art, a collaborative experience that not only educates students, but connects communities and fosters relationships that can expand a lifetime. There are now 17 schools that are a part of or are affiliated with the Greenheart Project in some manner which is amazing! I had the pleasure of meeting their Operations Director, Mrs. Kim Perrineau-Jackson, during an Ag + Art Tour last summer and was amazed at what I saw. You have to go visit to see how large this space has grown. I love that businesses help to sponsor this event. Mrs. Perrineau-Jackson shared a wealth of knowledge about the project and ways that anyone can help out. One thing that I have not participating in yet, but will do one day, is attended their Farm Stand on Thursday evenings when they have veggies for sale. Give them a follow on Instagram to learn more.

Started over 100 years ago, this Christian charity distributes clothing, groceries, and related…read moregoods to the impoverished in the local area. They are affiliated with the Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach on Johns Island.

Newby to the Charleston area. I received a friendly greeting from the receptionist here. The…read morecounselor was very helpful directed me where to go if I needed Food, clothing, and medical & dental resources. She referred additional services also! So if you're ever in need they do provide Food, clothing medical & dental resources & support.

Mrs. Bonnie Dinkins does an Outstanding job for Water Mission: Walk for Water -…read more It is not easy to Organize such a great event- looks like this is 6th or 7th year not an easy job with a family she has, working full time not an easy joke- so many people showed up - i was just one of the volunteer for carrying Flag- fortunately the girl gave me Asian Indian Flag since i am originally from India- she had visited -she loved our country. Thanks to the great work - loved it and only on our return we could not find the bus so again walk more than 3.1 miles - but overall a great work have to logon to old Windows 8 personal computer to send since Sprint Mobile which i uses for personal has stopped working Still owe lot of pictures and what not Sprint Mobile has been escalated which is personal phone for all these social medias

What a great thing! Local non-profit who provides clean water solutions both stateside and abroad…read more Many third world countries are so much better off due to the interventions of Water Mission. Reducing the death rates and spread of disease, all while providing good, clean drinking water. Really, what more can you ask for? I know...third world problems. We just don't know how good we have it here in the states. Anyway, I digress. This company was started by a couple who felt compelled to help the world. They operated an environmental engineering company and started Water Mission almost 20 years ago. They are a Christian based ministry who seek to serve all peoples around the world. I have seen their work first hand. After Hurricane Matthew devastated many areas down in the Atlantic and Caribbean, I went with a disaster relief team to Haiti to assist in the recovery efforts. Water Mission had already been working to install wells in a remote section of the South Western peninsula. They prioritized this effort after the hurricane struck. I had the fortunate pleasure to witness these wells in operation during my time there. This community was less affected by some of the diseases witnessed in other areas of the country due to these efforts. The international headquarters are located in an industrial part of North Charleston. They hold an open house at least yearly, along with many educational opportunities. They are always in need of volunteers if you feel so inclined. This is a great example of how a call to action can save lives and make our world so much better. Please participate and support this wonderful cause. You'll be glad you did.