Student Resources

Basic Needs

This guide was created to help individuals who may be experiencing basic needs insecurities here at Midlands Technical College. On this guide, you can learn more about Basic Needs Insecurities as well as find information about various organizations and agencies that may be able to offer guidance or resources.

What is a Basic Needs Insecurity?

According to the Ohio State Student Wellness Center, basic needs insecurity can be defined as a lack of consistent access to food, shelter, clothing, utilities, childcare, and security (both financial and physical). In today’s society, many would also argue that lack of access to technology and stable Wi-Fi fall into this category as well. 

Who is impacted by Basic Needs Insecurity?

Students attending colleges and universities are not immune from experiencing food or basic needs insecurity. A 2019 report from the Hope Center found that 42% of students at 4-year institutions and 47% of students at two-year institutions are impacted by food insecurity.

Risk factors for basic needs insecurity include (Association of American Colleges and Universities, 2019): 

• Students who are employed
• Students with longer enrollment
• Part-time students versus full-time
• Divorced students
• Students with children
• Students financially independent from their parents

How does Basic Needs Insecurity impact college students?

There is no shortage of research demonstrating the adverse effects of basic needs insecurity on college students. Facing basic needs insecurity can result in numerous barriers for students, such as distraction in class, deteriorating mental health, dropping or discontinuing classes, and lower grades. Some studies suggest that addressing food insecurity on campus can potentially enhance student GPA and university retention rates.(Woerden, Hruschka, and Bruening, 2018).

Food Resources

God's People in Service Food Distribution Center
Website: baptist-churches.cmac.ws/gods-people-in-service-ministry-center/5032
Phone Number: 843-857-3097
Address: 4512A Fish Hatchery Road, Gaston, SC 29053

Harvest Hope Food Bank
Harvest Hope is South Carolina's largest food bank, providing over 20 million meals on average to neighbors in need across the Midlands, Pee Dee, and Upstate.
Website: www.harvesthope.org
Phone Number: 803-254-4432
Address: Various locations

Oliver Gospel Mission Food Distribution Center
Oliver Gospel Mission provides a wide range of services including meals, shelter, clothing, hygiene products, shower facilities, recovery programs, life-skills courses, and case management.
Website: www.olivergospel.org
Phone Number: 803-254-6470
Address: 1100 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC 29201

South Carolina Coalition for the Homeless Food Distribution Center
South Carolina Coalition for the Homeless is a food distribution center located in downtown Columbia.
Address: 3425 N Main Street, Columbia, SC 29203

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP, a program provided by the South Carolina Department of Social Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, offers funding to eligible individuals. This funding can be used to purchase non-prepared food items at numerous participating grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations.
Website: dss.sc.gov/assistance-programs/snap
Phone Number: 800-616-1309 1-888-CARE4US
Address: 1535 Confederate Avenue, Columbia, SC 29201-1915

We Care Center Chapin Interfaith
We Care Center Chapin Interfaith provides food and financial support with dignity and compassion to anyone in need.
Website: www.chapinwecare.org
Phone Number: 803-345-3244
Address: 1800 Chapin Road, Chapin, SC 29036

Housing Resources

Alston Wilkes Society
AWS operates a high-management youth home for males aged 11-21 who are referred by approved state agencies. They also offer supportive services and transitional facilities for Veterans experiencing homelessness.
Website: www.alstonwilkessociety.org
Phone Number: 803-765-1394
Address: 1218 Bull Street, Columbia SC 29201

Columbia Women's Shelter
To equip residents with the tools and skills they need to become healthy, safe, and self-sufficient, Columbia Women's Shelter offers a variety of educational support programs. They currently own 17 housing units that offer long-term housing opportunities to individuals who have successfully completed the 12-week primary housing program.
Website: womenshelter.org/contact.htm
Phone Number: 803-779-4706
Address: 3425 N Main Street, Columbia SC 29203

Family Shelter
Family Shelter is a shelter in Columbia, SC that provides housing insecurity solutions.
Website: www.familysheltersc.org
Phone Number: 803-771-7040
Address: 2411 Two Notch Road, Columbia SC 29204

His House of Columbia - Grace Men's Program
The Grace Men's Program from His House provides a residential rehabilitation program for recovering alcoholic men in a Christian environment. Housing is offered for 90+ days to those who commit to the program.
Website: hishousesc.org
Phone Number: 803-791-0557
Address: 767 Meeting Street, West Columbia, SC 29169

Homeless No More
Homeless No More believes that family homelessness is a temporary challenge, not a chronic condition, and it is entirely solvable. This is achievable by making shelter, including affordable housing, attainable, offering a spectrum of meaningful and appropriate support services, and representing vulnerable families in significant community and policy conversations.
Website: www.homelessnomoresc.org
Phone Number: 803-256-3999
Address: 2411 Two Notch Road, Columbia SC 29204

Killingsworth
Killingworth's mission is to support, empower, and advocate for women who have been in crisis situations by providing housing, supplies, and help with addiction.
Websites: www.killingsworth.org www.facebook.com/killingsworth.home
Phone Number: 803-771-6359
Email: admin@killingsworth.org
Address: 1831 Pendleton Street, Columbia SC 29201

MIRCI Adult Outreach Center
MIRCI provides psychiatric care, behavioral health services, supportive housing, and essential needs - especially for those that are struggling with mental illness.
Website: www.mirci.org
Phone Number: 803-799-0331
Address: 1516 Gregg Street, Columbia SC 29201

Providence Home
Christ-focused ministry for men, providing transitional housing and promoting recovery from drugs, alcohol, and incarceration.
Website: www.providencehomecolumbia.org
Phone Number: 803-779-2927
Address: 3421 N Main Street, Columbia SC 29203

Public Housing Agencies (Section 8) / Columbia Housing Authority
Public Housing Agencies offer many resources including a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to those that qualify. Said vouchers may cover all or part of a household's rent payments for both public and private properties. These services help qualified families who are struggling with housing insecurities but are not homeless.
Websites: www.usa.gov/housing-voucher-section-8 www.columbiahousingsc.org
Phone Number: 803-254-3886
Email: Section8@SCHousing.com
Address: 1917 Harden Street, Columbia SC 29204

Oliver Gospel Mission
Oliver Gospel Mission provides a wide range of services including meals, shelter, clothing, hygiene products, showering facilities, recovery programs, life-skills courses, and case management.
Website: www.olivergospelmission.org
Phone Number: 803-254-6470
Address: 1100 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Rapid Shelter Columbia
RSC encompasses the 50 Pallet shelters and the former Inclement Weather Center (IWC), now known as the Rapid Shelter Overflow. Rapid Shelter Columbia is partnering with several provider agencies throughout the Midlands to provide primary care, mental health, substance use, and overall physical/mental well-being support. Individuals are chosen for the Pallet shelters on a referral basis only. Rapid Shelter Columbia has partnered with provider agencies that have an outreach staff that is engaged with the identified population.
Website: strategicinitiatives.columbiasc.gov/rapid-shelter-columbia
Phone Number: 855-678-4357 803-545-3476
Email: Nyasia.Franklin@columbiasc.gov
Address: Calhoun Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Saint Lawrence Place
Saint Lawrence Place provides support services, life skills, and transitional housing for families in need.
Website: www.facebook.com/stlawrenceplace
Phone Number: 803-256-3999
Email: info@homelessnomoresc.org
Address: 2400 Waites Road, Columbia SC 29204

The Salvation Army of the Midlands
The Salvation Army provides homelessness prevention services and emergency assistance for rent/utilities to those in need.
Website: southernusa.salvationarmy.org/midlands
Phone Number: 803-765-0260
Email: midlandssc@uss.salvationarmy.org
Address: 3024 Farrow Road, Columbia SC 29203

Tranquility Transitional Housing
Tranquility Transitional Housing accommodates offenders and ex-offenders through housing opportunities so that they may re-adjust back into society. Their goals are to reduce recidivism and minimize victimization in our communities.
Website: www.tthousing.net
Phone Number: 803-556-5944
Address: 1122 Lady Street, Columbia SC 29201

Transitions Homeless Center
Transitions serves men and women across the Midlands of South Carolina, helping them transition out of homelessness by stabilizing their lives, increasing their income, and securing permanent housing.
Website: transitionssc.org
Phone Number: 803-708-4861
Address: 2025 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201

United Way of the Midlands
United Way, a nonprofit organization, provides assistance in addressing homelessness, promoting children's literacy, and addressing lack of access to healthcare.
Website: www.uway.org
Phone Number: 803-733-5400
Address: 1818 Blanding Street, Columbia SC 29201

Health Resources

Fairfield Public Health Clinic
The Health Department in Winnsboro, SC offers many free health services including physicals, immunizations, family planning, and screening for sexually transmitted diseases.
Website: scdhec.gov/health/health-public-health-clinics
Phone Number: 855-472-3432 803-635-6481
Address: 1136 Kincaid Bridge Road, Winnsboro, SC 29180

MIRCI Adult Outreach Center
MIRCI provides psychiatric care, behavioral health services, supportive housing, and essential needs - especially for those that are struggling with mental wellness.
Website: www.mirci.org
Phone Number: 803-799-0331
Address: 1516 Gregg Street, Columbia SC 29201

MTC Dental Clinic
The MTC Dental Clinic offers many services, including routine dental cleanings, for patients that do not have dental insurance. The services are open to anyone, and the cost is even cheaper for active MTC students - only $45 for routine cleaning.
Website: www.midlandstech.edu/about/community-resources/mtc-dental-clinic
Phone Number: 803-822-3450
Email: dentalclinic@midlandstech.edu
Address: 1260 Lexington Drive, West Columbia, SC 29170 (Academic Center Room 321)

Richland Public Health Clinic
The Health Department in Columbia, SC offers many free health services including physicals, immunizations, family planning, and screening for sexually transmitted diseases.
Website: scdhec.gov/health/health-public-health-clinics
Phone Number: 803-472-3432 803-576-2900
Address: 2000 Hampton Street, Columbia SC 29204

United Way of the Midlands
United Way, a nonprofit organization, provides assistance in addressing homelessness, promoting children's literacy, and addressing lack of access to healthcare.
Website: www.uway.org
Phone Number: 803-799-0331
Address: 1516 Gregg Street, Columbia SC 29201

Job Opportunities

Federal Work-Study at Midlands Technical College
Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student's course of study. There are many work-study opportunities within numerous departments at Midlands Technical College.
Websites: www.midlandstech.edu/student-resources/student-employment-services studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/work-study
Email: jobpost@midlandstech.edu
Phone Number: 803-822-3538

Goodwill
Goodwill's mission services create opportunities for individuals to develop skills, overcome barriers, and advance in the workplace. For 120 years, Goodwill has helped people learn skills and gain employment in their communities. Connect with Goodwill to get free support and take the next step on your career journey.
Website: www.goodwill.org/about/find-a-job/

Job Postings for MTC Students and Alumni
Search job postings targeted specifically to MTC students and alumni with the College Central Network. When you enroll at MTC, the college's Student Employment Services office will automatically pre-register you for this valuable service.
Website: www.midlandstech.edu/ses
Phone Number: 803-822-3538

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WOIA)
Workforce Programs Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WOIA) Workforce Programs provide career and training services to millions of job seekers. These services include job search assistance, workforce preparation, and career development services. Additionally, training services available include both classroom and work-based learning opportunities. In addition to serving individual job seekers, these programs help businesses find the skilled workers they need by referring qualified job seekers, filling job orders, and through tailored work-based learning strategies. These services are available to workers and businesses through a network of approximately 2,400(AJCs) nationwide, also known as One-Stop Career Centers.
Website: www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/wioa/programs

Transportation Resources

The COMET: Central Midlands Transit
The COMET is a public transportation system with numerous stops around the Midlands. If you're a student of one of our partner schools, you likely qualify for free rides on The COMET! Students of Richland One, Richland Two, Lexington-Richland Five, Columbia College, and Midlands Technical College can ride The COMET! for free by showing their ID card to the bus driver.
Website: catchthecometsc.gov/programs-services/students
Phone Number: 803-255-7100
Address: 3613 Lucius Road, Columbia SC 29201

Other Resources

FCC Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service.
Website: www.fcc.gov/acp

First 5 South Carolina
First 5 South Carolina is an easy-to-use online service to learn about and access the many benefits available for children age birth through five in South Carolina. The benefit services are provided by the member agencies of the Early Childhood Advisory Council, associated agencies, and an array of non-profit organizations.xf
Website: www.first5sc.org