Forged out of the devastation of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) has grown from an emergency response effort into a steady source of help and hope for neighbors facing financial hardship in the community. Families arrive at the local nonprofit for many reasons: job loss, illness, divorce, the death of the breadwinner, an unexpected housing crisis and more. No matter the situation, every neighbor is met with dignity and compassion.
Today, ECCO operates a food pantry, a clothing closet, medical and dental clinics, a financial assistance program and a number of small but meaningful programs that help provide stability. The need is rising quickly. ECCO currently supports about 1,500 households – roughly 3,000 neighbors – who have an average annual income just north of $17,000. Over the past three months, more than 70 new families have arrived at ECCO seeking assistance. Much of this influx stems from the recent pause of SNAP benefits, government furloughs and overall rising costs in our community.
ECCO wants neighbors to feel comfortable asking for help and to know they don’t have to face hardship alone. The surrounding community plays an instrumental role in making that possible through financial support, volunteering their time and helping to spread the word of ECCO’s mission.
ECCO may have begun after a major storm, but they continue to help people through the storms of life they never expected. When families are stronger, the entire community is stronger too.
For more information, visit eccocharleston.org.
By Cari Lawson
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