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Programs

Four moments in a year where help changes everything.

The first day of school, Thanksgiving, Christmas morning, graduation. C.A.N. shows up at each one.

Packed supply bags lined up on a table beneath a Staples Back to School banner
  • A volunteer behind long tables stacked with packed book bags before the give-away
  • Volunteers laying out rows of book bags under a tent at the give-away
  • A boy wearing his new book bag at the C.A.N. back-to-school community day
  • Families gathered on the field at the C.A.N. back-to-school community day
  • Boxes of donated school supplies gathered on the field before the give-away
Back to school

Book Bag Give-A-Way

Every student starts the year with a bag on their back and something in it.

Ahead of the first day of school, C.A.N. hands out book bags loaded with the paper, pens and supplies a student needs to walk in ready. The give-away runs as a community day — food, games and neighbors — so that picking up a bag never feels like taking a hand-out.

What we give
Book bags, paper, pens, school supplies
Past partner
Staples Back to School
C.A.N. volunteers plating food in the kitchen before Thanksgiving dinner service
  • A full hall of families seated for the free C.A.N. Thanksgiving dinner
  • Volunteers serving hot food along the line at the Thanksgiving dinner
  • Guests seated and eating at the C.A.N. Thanksgiving dinner
  • Children carrying their plates at the C.A.N. Thanksgiving dinner
November

Thanksgiving Dinner

A free, sit-down Thanksgiving for families living below the South Carolina poverty level.

C.A.N. volunteers cook and serve a full Thanksgiving dinner at no cost, geared toward uplifting families currently living below the South Carolina state poverty level. Guests are seated and served — not handed a tray in a line.

Families served
Over 100
Host site
The Dream Center, Easley SC
Cost to guests
Free
A girl holding the Christmas gift box she received from C.A.N.
  • A child being fitted for brand new shoes at the Santa's Feet give-away
  • Brand new shoes laid out on their boxes in front of wrapped Christmas baskets
  • Bags of donated shoes stacked on a trolley beside a decorated Christmas tree
  • Santa greeting a young person at the C.A.N. Christmas extravaganza
  • A volunteer carrying wrapped Christmas gift boxes at the C.A.N. extravaganza
December

Santa's Feet

Brand new shoes for youth in need at Christmas.

Santa's Feet is C.A.N.'s Christmas extravaganza. The organization collects and gives brand new shoes to young people in DSS custody, in boys' and girls' homes, and in families living below the South Carolina state level — fitted in person, so every child leaves in shoes that actually fit.

What we give
Brand new shoes, fitted in person
Who it reaches
Youth in DSS custody, boys/girls homes, families below state level
A mentor working through a book with a young student
  • Two children smiling with the book bags they were given at a C.A.N. give-away
  • Two volunteers in Caring And Nurturing shirts at an event
  • Two volunteers in matching shirts at a C.A.N. outdoor event
Graduation

Scholarship Give-A-Way

Direct funding for graduating seniors on their way to college.

C.A.N. awards a scholarship to a graduating senior each year, funded entirely by donations and sponsorships. The goal is to grow it to five seniors at $1,000 or more.

Award range
$300 – $1,000
Awarded
One graduating senior per year
The goal
Five seniors at $1,000+

Our youth needs you

Will you help us help our children?

Every dollar becomes a book bag, a hot meal, a pair of new shoes or a scholarship for a graduating senior. All donations are tax deductible.

Donate onlineVolunteer or mentor

Together… Yes We C.A.N.