Summer of Caring helps Sumter man after work injury creates new bills

When you find yourself in need of help, you may not predict in what form that need manifests.
The Sumter Item's Summer of Caring is an annual fundraiser that supports Sumter United Ministries, a faith-based nonprofit that helps individuals, families and seniors in need of emergency and/or life rebuilding services. Especially since the pandemic, their services have been critical in preventing homelessness and financial turmoil. Summer of Caring runs Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Every penny of what readers donate goes to the ministry. Each week, we give an update with recent donations, and someone from the ministry tells an anecdote of a person who has benefitted from their services.
This week, we hear from Carolyn Bryan, In-Kind Ministry director, about a man who needed food and financial help after a work injury. His name has been shielded to protect his privacy.

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Sumter United Ministries is made up of various ministries, all with the goal of assisting the Sumter community.
The In-Kind Ministry consists of the clothing closet, the food pantry and a furniture warehouse for fire and domestic abuse victims. Through these avenues, we are able to serve a wide range of individuals in need in our community. Although the pandemic has affected the way we operate our ministry, we have pushed through with the help of dedicated and faithful volunteers. As a result, we are seeing individuals come for assistance for the first time.
Not too long ago, we assisted Mr. Smith, who has never been to Sumter United Ministries for any kind of assistance. Like most of us, he was not prepared for what happened.
Smith was injured on the job a few months ago. He has been trying to get his worker’s compensation approved and is awaiting qualification for food stamps.
He had been going to doctor appointments for two months before the doctors confirmed that he will be in need of two different types of surgeries. Since this development, Smith has been in the process of preparing things financially for his bills on account of the surgeries. With funds being tight, he knew he needed to reach out for help when it came to food.
When Smith heard of Sumter United Ministries, he knew exactly where he could go.
During our interview with him, we were able to assess his needs in the midst of his situation and determine that we could be a help to him. As soon as our volunteers heard this man’s story, they were deeply concerned about his ability to cook for himself in light of the surgeries. These dedicated and compassionate volunteers decided not only to give him the normal allocation for food, but they also added food that would be easier to cook during the recovery process. It was an immensely humbling experience to see individuals coming together in someone’s desperate time of need.
There are so many ways we are privileged to be the hands and feet of Jesus for the residents of Sumter County, and we are beyond blessed to play a part in that.
So, how can you get involved in incredible stories like Mr. Smith’s? Contact us, and we will find a way that we can serve our community together.
New donations as of July 27: Charlie Pitts, in honor of Ray Baker, $25.