Team SC County Day: Upstate edition sees hundreds seeking support post-Helene

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – Hundreds of Upstate residents came to USC Upstate Thursday, in search of in-person help from dozens of workers across 25 federal, state and local agencies as part of South Carolina’s Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

Spartanburg County resident Marvin Means said the event is a wonderful thing and is happy the state is supporting South Carolinians.

“I just like to see people and stuff like this really, really helps you know and it’s good to see people come together and help,” said Means.

Means, a retired Army Staff Segreant, said his mother was in a hospital with dementia when Helene hit, causing power outages for millions across the Carolinas .

“I wanted to be able to get her out in case of an evacuation,” said Means.

When Means tried to apply for FEMA assistance , he ran into issues.

“My sister and I are co-residents now in order to take care of my mom, and [FEMA will] only do one person per household,” said Means. “So I let my sister take care of it.”

Team South Carolina County Days were organized by the South Carolina Governor’s Office alongside state Senator Lindsey Graham (R), agencies are traveling across the Upstate to offer in-person help to those affected by Hurricane Helene.

Thursday’s event was targeted towards those living Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties.

State Senator Josh Kimbrell (11) made an appearance and said he’s happy to see the community come together.

“This is the first time that we’ve really had enough power back on and people back to a normal schedule to come out and do an event like this so we’re really glad they’re here today,” said Kimbrell.

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette also stopped by to talk to Upstate residents and help hand out food rations to those waiting in cars.

“I owned my own business here in the Upstate until I became Lieutenant Governor and so firsthand, I saw what businesses face when weather incidences like this happen,” said Evette.

Lt. Gov. Evette said she encourages anyone who might need assistance to apply for it.

“I’d hate to let anybody sit at home, not getting the resources that they need because of pride,” Lt. Gov. Evette said. “I understand it, I come from a really long line of proud Americans, but we’re here for you.”

Greenville County residents will have their chance to seek in-person help when the event comes to Greenville Tech’s Student Success Center on Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Below is a list of the agencies attending:

• S.C. Department of Agriculture – Gathering impact data in preparation for upcoming Farm Recovery Centers (FRC).
• S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services – Providing counseling resources, alcohol and drug services and substance use prevention.
• S.C. Department of Disabilities and Special Needs – Supplying information on resources and services for individuals with disabilities.
• S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce – Supplying information on unemployment benefits (including Disaster Unemployment Assistance) as well as employment services.
• S.C. Department of Environmental Services – Providing assistance for private drinking well owners and free test kits for those whose wells have been impacted by floodwaters.
• S.C. Department of Health and Human Services – Providing information on health care services and Medicaid.
• S.C. Department of Insurance – Providing information on the insurance claim process as well as coverage and insurance fraud prevention.
• S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation – Providing information on fire safety, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and residential builder information.
• S.C. Department of Mental Health – Providing general center-wide resources and personal screenings as appropriate.
• S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles – Assisting citizens attending the event.
• S.C. Department of Public Health – Providing information on Women, Infants and Children (WIC) educational resources and support as well as onsite Tdap and flu vaccines.
• S.C. Department of Social Services – Providing guidance on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and Affidavit of Loss Due to a Household Misfortune.
• S.C. Department on Aging – Providing information on services for seniors.
• S.C. Division of Veterans Affairs – Providing information on services for veterans.
• S.C. Emergency Management Division – Coordinating individual disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and will provide information for residents about personal recovery steps. SCEMD will also provide emergency preparedness guides and demonstrate the SC Emergency Manager mobile app.
• S.C. Housing Authority – Providing information on mortgage or rent assistance, rental housing.
• S.C. Office of Resilience – Providing disaster case managers to assist eligible citizens with disaster-caused unmet needs through a basic intake process.
• FEMA – Providing assistance with registering for financial assistance related to the storm.
• US Small Business Administration – Providing assistance with applying for disaster loans.
• United Way Association of South Carolina/AmeriCorps SC and Local Chapters – Providing information on community volunteer opportunities.
• One SC Fund – Providing information on nonprofit resources during disaster relief.
• Other state and local nonprofit organizations.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles recorded 662 attendees at Thursday’s event, and hoped to see even more attendees Friday.

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