Stephen Stimac

29th December

Through weeks of preparation and two December distribution days, Outreach’s 2025 Holiday Program reflected the generosity and care that define our community. This year, the program supported Polk County children (ages 0–18) and senior citizens (65+). Each child, teen and senior citizen received gifts and a gift card(s). In total, Outreach served 312 households, reaching 687 individuals across Polk County.

Each household represented more than a number — it represented families, children, and seniors supported by the collective efforts of churches, businesses, organizations and individual donors throughout our community.

Thank You to Our Supporting Churches, Businesses & Individuals

This program would not be possible without the continued support of local churches, businesses and individuals — including several new businesses that hosted toy boxes for the first time this year.

Outreach extends heartfelt thanks to the following churches for their generosity and participation in the 2025 Holiday Program:

• Bethlehem United Methodist Church
• The Congregational Church, UCC in Tryon
• The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
• First Baptist Church Tryon
• Good Shepherd Church
• Green Creek First Baptist Church
• Holy Cross Episcopal Church
• Melvin Hill Church
• Mill Creek Church
• Silver Creek Baptist Church
• St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
• Trinity Lutheran
• Unitarian Universalist Association
• Zion Grove Church

We also thank the local businesses that supported the Holiday Program through toy box collections, donations and community engagement:

• Back Alley Bud Bar & Boutique
• Becker Electric
• Carolina Chiropractic
• Dollar General – Columbus
• Dollar General – Green Creek
• Dollar General – Mill Spring
• Edward Jones – Jay Geddings
• Foothills Pharmacy
• Foothills Regional Commission
• Green Creek Auction
• Hypnotic Massage
• Old Mill Market
• State Employees Credit Union
• The Fitzgerald
• Tractor Supply
• Tryon Arts & Crafts School

Looking Ahead

As Outreach reflects on the 2025 Holiday Program, we remain grateful for a community that shows up — year after year — to support Polk County families and senior citizens. We look forward to building on this momentum and welcoming both returning and new partners for the 2026 Holiday Program.

Have you checked out our website recently? Be sure to visit and stay up to date on everything happening at Outreach!

Volunteering Since: 2024

Fun Fact:  

After volunteering with us in the past, Rosina returned more than a year ago and has since devoted her time, along with her daughter Sue, to packing backpack snacks for students across the county.

Each week, she helps prepare more than snack bags for local students and fill the room with smiles, teamwork and a bit of Monday afternoon sparkle. Rosina is a treasured part of our packing crew. 

Learn more about volunteer opportunities by visiting our website - www.tboutreach.org - or contact our Volunteer and Events Manager, Alyssa Davidson, at alyssa.davidson@tboutreach.org or (828) 894-2988.

Thank You, Elm and Owl

for hosting their first annual ornament fundraiser in support of Outreach. This year, a beautifully crafted ornament was created and sold, with all proceeds benefiting Outreach.

23 Years of Riding for Polk County’s Children

Thank You, Kay & Barry Gee

Thank You Polk County High School Indoor Track Team,

for hosting the annual Reindeer Games in support of Outreach. This community track event invites participants to give back through food donations as an entry fee, with all monetary and food donations benefiting Outreach.

For more than two decades, Kay and Barry Gee have led a tradition that has become a cornerstone of the holiday season in Polk County. This year marked the 23rd Annual Polk County Toy Run — a milestone made possible through their dedication, consistency and deep commitment to children in our community.

At its heart, the Polk County Toy Run is a community-powered toy drive that brings motorcyclists from across the region together for one shared purpose: ensuring children in Polk County have gifts during the holiday season.

The Toy Run’s impact reaches far beyond a single organization. Each year, the event supports four local organizations that serve Polk County families:

• Outreach
• Polk County DSS
• Polk County Sheriff's Department
• Steps to Hope

Every motorcyclist is asked to bring a toy or a $10 donation to register. A 50/50 raffle and door prizes are also part of the event, with proceeds supporting the Toy Run’s partner organizations. The toys collected are evenly distributed to support each organization’s holiday programs.

What many don’t see is that the Toy Run is not a one-day event, but a year-long effort. Kay and Barry spend months building relationships with local bikers, businesses and community partners — coordinating logistics and keeping the spirit of the run alive long after the last motorcycle leaves the parking lot. Those relationships are what make the Toy Run such a consistent success year after year.

As the Toy Run looks ahead, a new chapter begins. The 24th Annual Polk County Toy Run will be held on October 10, 2026, marking the first time the event will be held outside of its traditional November date.

We are deeply grateful to Kay and Barry Gee for their leadership, generosity and unwavering commitment to Polk County’s children. Their work has created more than an event — it has built a tradition rooted in compassion, community and the belief that every child deserves something special during the holidays.

Thank you Foothills Movement,

for choosing Outreach as the recipient of funds raised through their Pilates class. Proceeds from the class were donated to Outreach — and Foothills Movement generously matched that amount, doubling the impact of their support.

We’re grateful for this meaningful partnership and for the way Foothills Movement continues to invest in the well-being of our Polk County community.

Thank you to The Free Clinics of Polk County,

for their continued support and meaningful partnership with Outreach.

Your ongoing commitment plays an important role in strengthening services for Polk County and ensuring our community has access to the care and resources they need.

We’re grateful to work alongside you in support of the Polk County community.

November: A Month of Rapid Response and Community Support

November brought an unprecedented level of food insecurity to Polk County. During a record-breaking government shutdown that resulted in the suspension of SNAP benefits, many families experienced sudden disruptions to their food supply. In response, Outreach adjusted operations and expanded food assistance throughout the entire month to ensure individuals and families continued to have reliable access to meals during a critical and uncertain time.

Throughout the month of November, Outreach provided food assistance to:

• 817 total households
• 2,152 individuals
• 603 households receiving turkeys and/or hams for Thanksgiving meals

The 21-Meals Plan: Responding to the Most Acute Period of Need

During the height of the SNAP suspension, Outreach activated 21-Meals, a short-term emergency food distribution designed to provide seven days of breakfasts, lunches and dinners for households facing immediate food insecurity.

Although the program was only in effect for seven days, the impact was significant:

• 490 households served
• 106 new households
• 1,389 individuals supported

By temporarily converting the Food Pantry into a drive-thru distribution model, Outreach was able to respond quickly and could ensure families did not go without food on their tables at mealtimes.

Thank You to Our Supporters

This rapid response would not have been possible without strong community partnerships and generous financial support. Outreach is deeply grateful to the Polk County Community Foundation for providing significant support that made the swift implementation of the 21-Meals Plan possible.

We also extend our sincere thanks to:

• Gateway Wellness Foundation
• AdventHealth
• Members of our community

Together, this collective support allowed Outreach to respond swiftly, expand food access and continue serving Polk County families during one of the most demanding months of the year.

Thank you to all the local farmers, churches, individuals and organizations who contribute food to our food pantry. We need and value your donations so much. We could not do this without you.

Each month we highlight specific or seasonal items Outreach is collecting to meet the needs of our guests. Donations can be dropped off at Outreach (134 White Drive, Columbus NC). Current featured needs are:

Food Focus:

cake mix, pancake mix, muffin mix, oatmeal, syrup, can chicken & tuna, sugar (1lb pack), soups, oil, small and large packs of chicken, 1lb roll of ground beef, juice, salad dressing, seasoning, salt and pepper, fresh produce, baby formula

Non-Food Focus:

paper towels, toilet paper, zip lock bags (all sizes), laundry detergent, dish soap

Have you checked out our website recently? Be sure to visit and stay up to date on everything happening at Outreach!