After more than a year of searching for the right way to serve families in eastern Clarendon County, Well Watered Ministries has opened its second location in Turbeville.
The Summerton-based nonprofit celebrated the grand opening of The Well at Turbeville on Sept. 17 at 1292 Green St., expanding its food pantry, free boutique and family assistance programs into an area where transportation can make existing resources difficult to reach.
Founder and director Eliana Jenkinson said the ministry’s goal is to create a place where people can seek help without feeling judged or embarrassed.
“We want The Well at Turbeville to be a place where families can find food, clothing and other necessities, but also a place where they feel loved, welcomed and encouraged,” Jenkinson said. “We want to share the love of Jesus through action and grace.”
The opportunity began taking shape after Well Watered participated in the town’s back-to-school bash and connected with members of the Woven Life Group.
Jenkinson said the group was determined to bring additional resources to Turbeville and arranged a meeting with Mayor Tammy Hicks, who later offered the building that now houses the ministry.
“I am still in awe of how the Lord orchestrated the entire thing,” Jenkinson said.
The new site will provide food, clothing, household necessities and other assistance. People experiencing a need may visit during scheduled hours, where volunteers will connect them with available resources.
Jenkinson said families should not feel they must reach their lowest point before asking for assistance.
“Sometimes people just need someone to come alongside them for a season,” she said. “We want to be that place.”
The pantry’s first distribution will be held Oct. 5 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with distributions continuing on the first Monday evening of each month.
The free boutique will initially open from 1 to 4 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month and from 5 to 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday. The schedule may be adjusted as the ministry learns more about local needs and gains volunteers.
Well Watered also hopes to offer cooking and budgeting classes, family activities and other practical programs, including bringing Beds of Hope to the Turbeville area.
A community shower is among the additional resources planned for the site. Jenkinson said teachers and other residents shared stories about children missing several days of school, sometimes an entire week, because they did not have access to a shower.
“Hearing that really opened our eyes to the need for a community shower in Turbeville,” she said. “We want to provide a community shower and help close the gap by bringing essential resources closer to the people who need them.”
Rising grocery and household costs have also left some families struggling even though they may not qualify for government assistance. Transportation creates another barrier in rural areas, Jenkinson said.
Jenkinson said Turbeville residents have responded enthusiastically to the expansion, with several churches already offering volunteers and financial support. The ministry hopes to build partnerships with churches, businesses and community organizations while avoiding duplication of existing services.
The Turbeville site continues to need nonperishable food, household items, financial donations and clothing, although the ministry is currently full on women’s clothing. Volunteers are also needed to organize donations, stock the pantry and boutique, assist families and help with events.
“You don’t have to have a lot of money or a lot of time to make a difference,” Jenkinson said. “Sometimes giving a few hours or donating a bag of groceries can make a huge difference to a family.”
The Turbeville opening marks the latest step for a ministry inspired by the help Jenkinson’s own family received when her daughter, Alexis, became seriously ill with late-stage Lyme disease. Well Watered has since grown from its Summerton food pantry and free boutique into a broader outreach providing food, clothing, beds and household necessities. It has also hosted community dinners and seasonal drives, including a 2026 Easter campaign that collected more than 500 baskets for children.
As the ministry becomes more familiar with Turbeville, Jenkinson expects additional needs and opportunities to emerge.
“We’re not just opening another location,” she said. “We’re praying that The Well at Turbeville becomes a place where hope is restored, families are strengthened and people are reminded that they are loved and they are not alone.”
