The James Monroe Mission House

01/09/2026

On Jan 5th, five members of the National Honor Society at Woodmont HS came and lent a helping hand at the JMMH. We loved having them and enjoyed their youthful enthusiasm and energy.

They helped clients carry their food out to their cars, sorted and hung clothes, and checked for expired canned and dry goods. They said they would come back again, and we hope they do!

Youth groups, religious and secular, are welcome to volunteer. If you would like to join us either on a Monday morning when we see our clients, or some other time, please contact Kirby Knox at 510-237-1748 to arrange a visit.

01/01/2026

12/30/2025

Thank you to everyone who have given so much this past year to ensure our less fortunate neighbors have food on their table and clothes on their backs. Thank you for all your many donations of time, donated food and clothing, and monetary gifts. May you each have a blessed 2026. Wishing each of you good health and happiness in the coming year!!!!

12/27/2025

Are you interested in donating to a worthy cause? Please consider donating to either the JMMH, Harvest Hope Food Bank, or your local church or other non-religious organization that supports food for the needy and disadvantaged, such as Loaves and Fishes, a food rescue organization in Greenville.

Here are some helpful guidelines:

• Donate nutrient-dense staples like proteins, grains and low-sodium soups.
• Avoid donating expired, opened or less nutritious items.
• Cash donations help fill specific gaps and better support community needs.

The 7 Items that are most needed:

1. Shelf-Stable Proteins
Protein is an essential part of a well-rounded diet, and protein-rich foods are some of the most expensive foods at the grocery store. This includes items like canned chicken, salmon or tuna; beans or lentils; and nut butter. Consider items that could be used to make easy meals like casseroles, pasta dishes or sandwiches. When it comes to canned goods like beans or tuna, look for pull-tab lids that don't require a can opener, for better accessibility.

2. Nutritious Grains
Nutritious grains like rice, pasta, oats, millet, quinoa and whole-grain.
Whole-grain snacks are also great for children and families such as popcorn, Cheerios, whole-grain crackers, whole-grain granola bars.

3. Canned Fruits and Veggies
Fruits and veggies provide essential micronutrients and fiber for overall health, and canned options can be just as nutritious as fresh ones. They’re important items to be able to put together well-rounded meals.

Consider donating low-sodium canned vegetables and canned fruits packed in their own juice or water. Remember, when it comes to canned foods, pull-tab lids are best.

4. Cooking Basics
Cooking basics are very helpful donations. This includes things like shelf-stable cooking oils, common spices or spice blends, and low-sodium broths. These items can help make tasty meals.

5. Nonperishable Dairy
Consider donating powdered milk, shelf-stable milk and shelf-stable plant-based milk alternatives. This can help families get important nutrients and put together easy meals or snacks like cereal with milk.

6. Canned Soup
Low-sodium soups are best, since consuming too much sodium can cause high blood pressure. Just like other canned items on this list, try donating canned soup in pull-tab cans. This makes it easier for recipients to open it without needing extra kitchen tools.

7. Cash Donations
Food isn’t the only type of donation that organizations like the JMMH can use. Cash donations are also helpful, as they can help food banks and pantries, such as the JMMH, use the money in the way that best serves our community.

Items Not to Donate
Nutrient-dense items are most helpful, so try to prioritize whole foods with minimal saturated fat, added sugar and sodium, if possible.

Although it can be tempting to hastily donate all your unwanted pantry items to a food bank, ensure that items aren’t already opened, damaged or expired before donating them. These kinds of donations can’t be used and could create more work for the staff and volunteers.

Where and when to donate to the JMMH.
Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the JMMH on Monday from 8 AM-12 PM, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 10AM-12 PM, at 401 S Weston St in Fountain Inn.

Cash or checks made out to the ‘James Monroe Mission House” at the JMMH on Monday from 8-12 PM, or mailed (please no cash) to Trinity United Methodist Church at 403 S Weston St in Fountain Inn.
All donations are tax deductible. Receipts can be provided upon request.

How to donate to Harvest Hope
We get the bulk of our food from Harvest Hope food bank in Greenville. The easiest way to donate is online at https://www.harvesthope.org/get-involved/donate-today.

How to donate to Loaves and Fishes
Although we get most of our food from Harvest Hope, Loaves and Fishes provides us a large amount of food every week. You can donate online at https://werescuefood.org/give-locally/.

Many, many thanks to everyone who has donated to the JMMH already. Your donations make it possible for us to fill in the missing items that Harvest Hope and other supporting organizations are unable to provide. We couldn’t do what we do without your generosity and commitment to providing food for the needy in our community. May God bless you!!

12/24/2025

On Sunday evening, December 7th, the Simpsonville Holy Cross Episcopal youth group came to the Mission House to do service work for the second time this year, 2025. Before starting their service work they were reminded of the importance of what they were about to do. Part of that reminder was a biblical quote, Mathew 25:40.

“Truly, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of my brethren, you have done it unto me.”

With that sentiment firmly planted in their hearts, they went to work! Over the course of an hour and a half they bagged many canned goods and produce, and assisted in the administrative task of ensuring that all canned goods were not outdated and were safe to be given out. The work they did made the following Monday’s food give out significantly easier and timely.

They had a great time, and we thoroughly enjoyed having them. We look forward to their return in the future!!! Pictures below.

If you are interested in having your youth group (church or non-religious) join us, please contact our director, Kirby Knox, either by phone call or text at 510-237-1748. Or by email at [email protected].

12/24/2025

Are you interested in volunteering at the Mission House? We have lots of opportunities for anyone interested in helping us serve those in need. Although we are only open to our clients on Monday mornings, 9-12PM, we are also open most Wednesday and Friday mornings for several hours to receive food deliveries from Harvest Hope, Food Lion, and Loaves and Fishes.

On Mondays there are a wide assortment of service possibilities such as putting together bags containing either produce, meat, or canned goods, assisting clients to take their bags to their cars, and sorting and hanging clothes in our clothing rooms. There is no time requirement, so you are welcome to come for as long as you wish.

Every Wednesday morning a volunteer driver drives the Mission House truck to Harvest Hope to pick up our weekly allotment of food. No lifting is required on the part of the driver. Once the truck returns to the Mission House it is unloaded by additional volunteers, both men and women. Cloth sorting and hanging also is available.

On Friday mornings we receive two food deliveries from Food Lion and Loaves and Fishes. As on Wednesdays, a group of volunteers unload the trucks. Cloth sorting and hanging also takes place.

As a church sponsored food and clothing distribution center, we especially enjoy and encourage church youth groups and non-church affiliated organizations to volunteer their time in assisting us to assist others. Because the youth are usually in school during our normal volunteer hours, we are happy to offer time on weekends for them to come in and give us a hand. We believe that if a young person becomes involved in helping others early in their lives, they will hopefully continue to do so as adults.

Anyone between the ages of 10 and 100 are eligible to volunteer. We currently have volunteers in their 90’s, Clyde and Eleanor Brooks, who have been volunteering since the JMMH was first founded.

If you are interested in volunteering, or just dropping by to see what we do, contact our Director, Kirby Knox at 510-237-1748, or [email protected].

12/24/2025

The JMMH has been approved to distribute USDA (US Dept. of Agriculture) and TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) to the qualifying public. For qualifying Guidelines, please contact: James Monroe Mission House at 864-862-4561. In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, s*x, age disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA Director Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or Call (800) 877-8339 (voice and TDD). USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.

12/21/2025

When a small group of concerned citizens banded together to address hunger in 2005, little did they imagine that their project would be thriving 21 years later. Members of Trinity United Methodist Church, in Fountain Inn, inspired by the late Dr. James Monroe and his wife Mary, set out to help their food-insecure neighbors. At first, they delivered boxes of donated food to families in need. After some months, they established operations in the former parsonage next to the church, where the James Monroe Mission House continues to distribute food and clothing every Monday morning from 9-12 PM.

Over the years, the Mission House has joined with the Harvest Hope food bank and the food rescue organization Loaves and Fishes. This provides reliable sources of food and allows the mission to purchase needed food at reasonable prices. The Mission House also benefits from local food drives and from individual donations. Its funding comes entirely from donations from churches, organizations, schools, businesses, and individuals.

About 30 volunteers help each week, performing such work as packing and distributing food; sorting, sizing and hanging clothing; helping clients to their cars; and driving, loading and unloading trucks.

Each week our clients receive three bags of food containing frozen meat, cheese or dairy items, bread, fresh produce, and canned goods. Clients may also select five clothing items each week. Seasonally, we distribute blankets and coats.

Our clients include the homeless, grandparents raising grandchildren, single parents, people with disabilities, unemployed, working poor, food-insecure families struggling to make ends meet, and individuals trying to get back on their feet.

Their stories are many; their needs are real. All are our neighbors who can use a helping hand.

Send a message to learn more