In order to help stretch your income, The Cooperative Ministry offers food vouchers to food banks operated by our various church partners. We give out vouchers, Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We encourage clients to come early because vouchers are limited. Clients are eligible for a voucher once every 90 days. Clothing from The Cooperative Ministry is always free. What The Cooperative Ministry offers clients is limited to what has been donated. Not all sizes are available all the time. Clients are eligible to receive clothing once every 90 days. For both food vouchers and clothing, you must be a resident of Richland County, provide a picture ID and have a social security card. Walk-ins are welcome.

Financial Assistance is only available by appointment.To apply for an appointment, please visit this We no longer schedule appointments by telephone. We do not see walk-in clients for financial assistance. An appointment does not guarantee you will receive financial assistance. Your appointment will include budget counseling to ensure you are eligible for assistance. You are required to bring proof of your last month’s income, a paper copy of your bills, and a copy of your lease agreement. Before calling, please ensure you meet the qualifications listed below. You must be a resident of Richland County, SC. You must have proof of employment or receiving Social Security or disability. You cannot be receiving subsidized rent assistance. You cannot have received financial assistance from any agency, including The Cooperative Ministry, for the previous 12 months.

The Cooperative Ministry’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free income tax assistance to thousands of individuals and families with a household income of $60,000 or less. IRS-trained and certified volunteers serve at 18 locations across the greater Midlands to help participants receive all of the tax credits and deductions for which they are eligible. For assistance with Income Tax Preparation, CLICK HERE.

Car Donations are given to Richland and Lexington residents who are currently employed and need transportation to get to their jobs. If you are currently walking or using public transportation to get to work, find out if you qualify. You may be eligible to receive a used car from The Cooperative Ministry. CLICK HERE to find out more.

The Christian Counseling Center, Inc, a ministry of First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, will begin offering a free clinical counseling assessment for individuals in crisis on Tuesdays from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Cooperative Ministry. Clients will be directed to the counseling assessment as part of The Cooperative Ministry’s client intake process to serve the Midlands working poor. For more about Christian Counseling, CLICK HERE.