By Paige Youmans
For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. -KJV, Deuteronomy 15:11
Sharing God’s Love (SGL) is a Christian-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization serving the communities of Irmo, Ballentine, and St. Andrews, assisting individuals and families struggling to secure basic living necessities. The organization obeys God’s directive to care for the disadvantaged by providing clothing, food, groceries, financial assistance, and spiritual support. Working collaboratively with community churches, SGL is able to better coordinate services for the individuals and families it serves. A centralized location to collect and distribute donations and connect those in need with available resources was established in 1984, which immediately streamlined the program.
Led by the energetic and impactful Director, Shari Selke, and the mission-focused Board of Directors representing local churches, SGL has faithfully maintained its efforts. Today SGL has expanded its physical footprint and extended its service reach—all without the use of public funding. In fact, during 2024, SGL improved 11,664 lives through Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas dinners and gifts, clothes, school supplies, and general pantry items.
Because of faithfulness both in its ser- vice provision and financial stewardship, Sharing God’s Love received the Angel Award from SC Secretary of State Mark Hammond in 2022. To be eligible for this honor, a charity must meet rigorous financial and service criteria including devoting over 80% of funds to service programs and complying with SC’s Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act. With the work of a small staff and a tremendous volume of volunteers, SGL was honored with the award and proudly noted a charitable giving rate over 92%.
Selke notes comradery and fellowship between staff and volunteers first and foremost when discussing the success of SGL’s programs and the recognition by the Secretary of State. She attributes common shared purpose as the driving force for the consistent dedication to serve, stating that “one of the greatest blessings to the mission is our volunteers. Each has their own unique reason to answer the Lord’s call, and they selflessly and faithfully serve. The joy in which they serve is contagious. Along with the amazing staff, their dedication makes Sharing God’s Love a reliable place to come for assistance.”
After a warm greeting from Director Selke and a guided tour of the busy facility, Our Town Magazine was briefed on the programs offered, SGL’s role in the community, and its various challenges and achievements. To be eligible for assistance through Sharing God’s Love, the interviewing applicant must provide documentation regarding current residency in one of three zip codes—29063, 29210, or 29212. Age is not an issue; there are also special benefits and programs designed for seniors 60 years old and over. Accepted clients typically receive food and clothing once a month, if needed, and financial assistance once a year, excluding rent or water bills. As for specific and current needs, Selke referenced a verified digital list for individual items requested as well as continued financial support and in-kind donations. However, her initial priority was a sincere request for prayers for the organization as well as the clients served. Selke has personally witnessed God’s provision for SGL’s purpose and mission, citing multiple remarkable instances of answered prayers for clients and the organization.
Although supporting disadvantaged families in their time of critical need may superficially appear to only improve lives on an individual level, the benefits do not stop there. This type of assistance promotes better health collectively, breaks cycles of poverty, and creates a more stable, calm, and inviting community as a whole. Faye, a former client of SGL, reinforced the success of the program. She explained that she reached out to SGL for help during a financially strained period in her family’s life many decades ago, and that she has never forgotten the blessings bestowed upon her family. The support and assistance she received led her to return to SGL as a volunteer, which Selke notes is a common theme for many volunteers and donors alike. She explained that the SGL staff intentionally builds and strengthens relationships with clients, walking with them through the difficult circumstances they are facing; many of those clients want to pay it forward in kind. Ready to improve someone’s life? SGL presents many opportunities throughout the year to get involved (in person and online), such as the annual SGL Benefit Golf Tournament, the Souper Bowl of Caring, seasonal yard sales, and nation-wide reward programs from participating grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and merchants. Civic groups, community clubs, and organizations are invited to participate in, host, or sponsor SGL fundraising events or service projects such as shoe drives, food collections, school supply drives, or campaigns for general donations and contributions.
PANTRY ITEMS NEEDED:
Cereal and oatmeal
Pancake mix and syrup
Peanut butter and jelly
Spaghetti noodles and sauce
Boxed pasta or rice based meals
Canned lunch items (SpaghettiOs, ravioli, chili, pork & beans, etc.)
Canned or dry beans
Crackers (Ritz or Saltines)
Snacks and juice
Canned or powdered milk
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS NEEDED:
New adult underwear and socks
Bed linens-queen and king
Comforters and blankets (all sizes)
Wash cloths and towels
Winter coats (all sizes)
Pots, plates and pans
Glasses/cups and utensils
Cookware, bakeware
Kitchen linens
Flattened grocery bags
Small appliances
Sharing God’s Love menchie’s 5580 Sunset Blvd, Lexington 803-356-0643 • menchies.com
147 Friarsgate Blvd
P.O. Box 1021, Irmo, SC 29063
803-732-3188 [email protected]
