ECCO receives $125,000 grant to expand Outreach efforts
April 17, 2025
East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) announced it has been awarded a $125,000 grant from the Charleston County Community Development and Revitalization Department. These funds will play a transformative role in helping ECCO fulfill a priority of their recent Beyond Our Walls Capital Campaign, to expand their outreach in the community.
The Charleston County Community Development and Revitalization Department’s mission is to enhance citizens’ quality of life while promoting economic growth through the development and revitalization of housing and communities.
Established in 1989 as an emergency relief effort after Hurricane Hugo, ECCO has since grown into a permanent resource for the community with three main services areas: assistance, guidance, and resources. Whether it’s one single service provided like food or financial assistance or years of walking through hardship, their team will encourage, advocate, and develop a system of support focused on helping local neighbors navigate through life’s challenges.
ECCO’s Beyond Our Walls outreach initiative will allow ECCO to bring essential services directly to those in need, addressing barriers such as unreliable transportation, geographic distance, and lack of awareness about available resources. This generous funding will support the creation of a mobile office – allowing ECCO to establish a physical presence in multiple rural communities, meeting neighbors where they are and building a trusting relationship with communities with limited resources.
In addition to creating a mobile office, ECCO is committed to increasing its presence in rural areas by participating in farmers markets, health screenings, and community events, as well as partnering with local churches and community centers to provide regular access to ECCO’s services like food assistance, financial assistance, clothing, and healthcare.
“Thanks to the support of the Charleston County Department of Community Development, we can take a bold step toward bringing ECCO to people where they are,” said Stephanie Kelley, Executive Director. “This grant will enable us to focus on the O in ECCO – outreach. We will be able to serve more individuals and families in rural communities who face significant challenges accessing the vital assistance we provide.”
ECCO’s service area spans more than 1,970 square miles, with its medical service area extending to nearly 3,200 square miles across the Tri-County region. This initiative will allow ECCO to reduce barriers to access and bring help and hope to those living in East Cooper’s most isolated and vulnerable communities.
For more information about ECCO and its programs, visit www.eccocharleston.org or call (843) 849-9220 to speak with a member of their team.
About ECCO:
Founded as an emergency relief effort in 1989 after the devastation from Hurricane Hugo, East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) has since grown into a permanent resource for the community with three main service areas: Assistance, Guidance, and Resources. Thousands of individuals each year receive help through ECCO’s Wellness Food Pantry, Financial Assistance, Dental & Medical Clinics, Prescription Assistance, Clothing Closet, Asset Development Program, and more. Enhanced through personal interactions with staff who provide individualized support and coaching for each client, ECCO meets each client where they are and helps them navigate the challenges they are facing with care and compassion. ECCO is also a place where people who want to help their neighbors in need can find meaningful ways to share their time, talent, and treasure. Four hundred local neighbors give their time, volunteering at ECCO’s main campus and clothing closet. For more information about how to receive help or give help, visit www.eccocharleston.org.
About Charleston County Community Development & Revitalization Department:
Located at 3660 Montague Avenue in North Charleston, South Carolina, the department programs enhance citizens’ quality of life while promoting economic growth through development and revitalization of housing and communities. For more information, visit www.charlestoncounty.org/
