CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – As a part of an ongoing initiative to support the well-being of vulnerable Charlestonians, the Charleston Police Department partnered with the South Carolina Department of Mental Health to host its “Feeding Our Well-Being” Unity Day Health and Wellness fair.
The second annual event brought organizations and service providers to one location on Saturday so people who are unsheltered or at risk of losing their homes can get the additional information, referrals and resources they need.
The special operations supervisor for the Charleston Dorchester Department of Mental Health, Caitlin McGarty, says that their organization, the Charleston Police Department, Lowcountry Food Bank and the Charleston Center partner together every Wednesday to hand out fresh produce to the unsheltered community, but they found that most of them didn’t know how to cook the food they were handing out.
Organizers say they hope the event enhances the quality of life for attendees by offering several free services. Those include mental health care, medical care, medical insurance assistance, legal assistance, housing support and utility assistance.
McGarty says that the number of homeless people in the community is increasing significantly.
“Any given night there are over three hundred people living on the streets in Charleston,” she says.
She added that they expected around 200 to attend the event.
Charleston Police Officer Fredic Mallett says the event helps improve the community’s well-being.
“A lot of people really don’t know of all of the resources that can be provided,” Mallett says. “A lot of people think of the police as like more law enforcement based but we can provide different things such as shelter, you know, food, clothing, or maybe just even different kinds of assistance whether it be housing, or just you know somebody to talk to just in need.”
Charleston resident, Ulysses Foreman, says he heard about the event from his neighbor, and he was glad he was able to come out.
“It is a wonderful experience for everybody, for the young, the middle-aged and the old. Everyone can come and enjoy themselves for the fun and food,” Foreman says.
South Carolina Legal Services, one of the non-profits at the event, says they chose to participate in the event to inform community members of the services they provide.
“We are amazed at how many people don’t know about our organization and what we do. That’s why we go out to community outreaches, so we can spread the word, let them know that we’re out here, and let everyone know that we are here to serve the community,” Zan Coakley, with South Carolina Legal Services, says.
The free event had something for everybody, from free food, a cooking demonstration by local chef Ra’Gina Saunders and entertainment for children. It was held at Conway Park on Columbus Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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SC Department of Mental Health and Charleston Police hosts free wellness fair
