The Cooperative Ministry Receives Multi-Year VITA Grant
November 4, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – For the first time ever, The Cooperative Ministry has been awarded a multi-year VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) IRS grant.
“This is a big deal because this is a very competitive grant that only few receive within the state,” VITA Director Kara Simmons says.
The VITA program offers free tax help to families with a household income of less than $54,000. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in local communities.
“With this awesome reward comes an awesome opportunity for volunteers to join us to meet the largest goal we’ve ever been given, “ Simmons says.
This year Simmons is trying to recruit at least 200 volunteers to help prepare nearly 6,000 tax returns for hard working people in the Midlands. In partnership with United Way of the Midlands, The Cooperative Ministry offers tax assistance sites every year in Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Sumter and Newberry counties.
“The free income tax preparation is available to ensure hardworking families take advantage of all Earned Income and Child Tax Credits, leading to larger refunds and nearly immediate extra cash,” Simmons says.
In 2014, The Cooperative Ministry and partner agencies SC Thrive and MyFreeTaxes.com completed 5,479 returns for a total Federal Refund of $2,570,145.00. That’s an average refund of $1,321.00 for the people we serve.
For more information on the VITA program or to volunteer contact LaTanya Grant- 803-799-3853 ext.605 or [email protected].
About The Cooperative Ministry
The Cooperative Ministry is Fighting Poverty through Crisis Assistance and Sustainability programs. We strive to stamp out poverty by moving Midlands families closer to the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency. In 2014, over 15,000 people were served by our programs.The Cooperative Ministry was founded by five downtown Columbia congregations in 1982 with the goal of establishing a collaborative method of administering assistance to those in need, while preventing duplication of services.To learn more visit. www.coopmin.org .
