The Kershaw County Housing Authority on Wednesday awarded a $60,000 grant to Food for the Soul, supporting the nonprofit’s plans to expand and upgrade its emergency shelter with new transitional housing designed to provide greater privacy, safety and stability for residents working toward permanent housing.
Archie Todd, chairman of the Kershaw County Housing Authority, said the funding reflects the Authority’s mission to support organizations addressing housing needs across the county.
“We saw the work Food for the Soul is already doing and wanted to be part of it,” Todd said during a check presentation and site visit at the shelter. “This is about improving the quality of transitional housing and helping meet needs that make a real difference for people.”
The grant will fund the construction of four transitional rooms inside Food for the Soul’s existing shelter — two designated for men and two for women — along with related safety and space improvements. The project is expected to be completed within four to six weeks.
Food for the Soul Executive Director Tina Griggs said the new rooms will bridge a critical gap between emergency shelter and permanent housing for residents who are employed, saving money and making measurable progress toward independence.
“For a long time, we’ve had residents reach the end of their emergency stay and still have nowhere to go,” Griggs said. “They’re working, they’re doing everything right, and without transitional options, they end up back on the street. This changes that.”
The transitional rooms will include locking doors, beds, mini-refrigerators and secure storage, providing residents with private space where they can rest, secure personal belongings and focus on next steps. Griggs said residents will move into the rooms after meeting eligibility criteria, such as maintaining employment and remaining incident-free, allowing them to earn additional time and independence while continuing to receive case management and support services.
Todd said the Housing Authority’s role is to help strengthen housing pathways wherever possible.
“Our side of this work is housing,” he said. “Food for the Soul is already doing the day-to-day work — feeding people, housing people, helping them move forward. This grant is about supporting that effort and helping it go further.”
Food for the Soul operates a 24/7 emergency shelter in Camden and provides food distribution and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness due to economic hardship, mental health challenges, domestic violence and other crises. The organization serves an average of 25 to 30 residents per day and distributes thousands of meals each month.
During the visit, shelter leaders walked Housing Authority members through the areas that will be renovated, explaining how existing open dormitory spaces will be reconfigured to include the transitional rooms and additional privacy features. Griggs said the upgrades will also make the shelter safer and more trauma-informed for all residents.
“A lot of the people who come through our doors have experienced significant trauma,” Griggs said. “Having privacy — even something as simple as a door that locks — allows people to rest, feel safe and begin to heal.”
One former resident, who spoke briefly during the check presentation, said Food for the Soul provided the stability needed to rebuild after a series of setbacks.
“I was evicted and had lost my job after a serious car accident,” the former resident said. “They took me in, helped me get back on my feet, and eventually I moved into transitional housing. Now I have my own place and I’m doing well.”
Griggs credited her staff, volunteers and board for working for more than a year to plan the project and ensure the funding would be used to make the greatest immediate impact.
“We prayed about this, we worked through the details, and when it finally came together, it was incredibly emotional,” she said. “This is a big deal for Food for the Soul.”
Tim Bordner, board chairman of Food for the Soul, said the grant allows the organization to move from planning to action.
“This lets us meet an immediate need in the community, right now,” Bordner said. “That’s what makes this so meaningful.”
Construction is expected to begin once final logistics are complete, with the goal of opening the transitional rooms within four to six weeks.
Food for the Soul relies on community support to operate its shelter and services. Volunteers are welcome, and those interested in contributing financially can make a donation at https://www.pledge.to/food-for-the-soul.
