Recognizing the growing epidemic of hunger in and around Piedmont, a group of concerned citizens, professionals and clergy formed the Piedmont Emergency Relief Center (PERC) in 2005.
PERC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, public organization run by a board, a director, and many dedicated volunteers. PERC provides individuals, families, children, and senior citizens in times of need with emergency access to food and other household necessities.
The Piedmont Emergency Relief Center partners with local public, religious, and civic organizations including the Piedmont Fire department, the Piedmont Ministerial Association, area churches, civic groups, schools, community leaders, businesses and individuals who generously give food and other donations.
Through partnerships with the Harvest Hope Food Bank, Loaves and Fishes, the Greenville County Food Security Coalition (part of LiveWell Greenville) and even other local food banks, PERC is working to help neighbors who need a little extra assistance with basic human essentials.
Piedmont Emergency Relief Center also strives to connect neighbors who come for help to other resources that can assist them in moving away from a constant crisis mode.
The Piedmont Emergency Relief Center is based in Piedmont, presently considered a food desert.
Piedmont was once a vibrant textile town surrounded by family farms and dairies. Throughout the years, the textile industry outsourced many of the jobs resulting in the subsequent closure of the mills while the family farms and dairies declined or became nonexistent due to rising costs and larger competition.
Piedmont Emergency Relief Center is located on the Greenville County side of the Saluda River. Although located in Piedmont, PERC serves a broad area of Anderson, Greenville, and Pickens counties that includes Greenville, Pelzer, Piedmont, Powdersville, Easley, and Williamston.
Regardless of residence, Piedmont Emergency Relief Center’s policy is that no person or family in need of food assistance is turned away. Currently, PERC providing food for approximately 100 plus households per week, representing 250-350 plus individuals. Without the generosity of so many people and businesses, the ability to serve our neighbors would not be possible.
PERC has seen a slight increase over the last 3 months of new people coming for food.
Previously they served about 65-75 households each week. Presently, the household count has been closer to 100 households and has been as many as 120 households on a Thursday.
“The rise in food prices and static wages are the result of the increase,” a spokesperson said. “Piedmont Emergency Relief Center only expects the number we are serving to increase as long as wages remain the same.”
Most needed items include canned vegetables and fruites (including canned or dried beans, potatoes, yams), Spaghetti sauce, soup, oatmeal/grits (packets or smalll bags or cannisters), canned pasta, cereal, jelly, pancake mix.
Other items always welcome include canned meat, (tuna, chicken, beef stew, Vienna sausages, Spam, Treat, hash); rice, boxed potatoes, boxed stuffing, boxed potatoes; mac & cheese dinners; danned tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste.
Food donations can be made at PERC, which is located at the Piedmont Community Building, 3A Main Street, in Piedmont.
Mailing address is PO Box 424, Piedmont, SC, 29673
