In April 2026, single mother Cassidy Amber Casey learned the Clarendon County home she shared with her two children could soon be sold.
“A family friend had a trailer that she was not using anymore, so the original plan was for me to make payments to her,” Casey said. “Long story short, that did not work out, and the trailer was going to be sold.”
“I panicked,” she said.
Casey, who had moved from Scranton to Clarendon County, had a small following on TikTok and began working to build it while juggling a full-time job and caring for her children.
“I just started making videos, putting my story out there, letting people know I had this many days to raise this much money,” Casey said. “I wasn’t asking for people to donate. I was just asking local people to follow because if I got follows and views, I could start making money.”
Casey needed $30,000 to purchase the property. Soon, local businesses took notice and began holding fundraisers for her. Through donations, fundraisers and selling electronics and other belongings, she raised $8,000 — enough for a down payment that allowed her to keep the home.
After seeing the community rally around her, Casey began looking for a way to pay it forward and show her gratitude.
Casey decided to open what is now The Care Cottage, a free community pantry located at 1112 Charles Drive in Manning. The pantry provides food, toiletries, diapers, feminine hygiene products, household essentials and other necessities to people in need.
Outdoor Upgrades donated the down payment for the pantry, and Steven Voshell of Champion Electrical Services connected it to electricity at no charge. First Choice Heating and Air donated a mini-split air-conditioning unit and plans to install it Aug. 15.
Casey said her children, Brooklyn, 12, and Reid, 8, also deserve recognition for their work. They help unpack and organize donations, even on extremely hot days as the family waits for the air-conditioning unit to be installed.
Casey hopes to add a refrigerator soon so The Care Cottage can offer farm-fresh eggs, milk and other refrigerated items.
She also prepares care bags containing food and toiletries for people who cannot travel to the pantry. Casey said feminine hygiene products are especially important to her because she sometimes lacked access to those necessities as a teenager while her mother struggled with addiction.
The Care Cottage is currently hosting a 10K Followers Celebration. What began with a goal of 10 businesses donating $50 each to help 10 families has grown to a goal of 50 sponsors helping 50 local families. Ten sponsors had committed as of Aug. 11.
Each $50 sponsorship will provide a family with a grocery gift card or assistance toward a household bill. If a recipient chooses bill assistance, Casey will obtain the account information and pay the provider directly.
Casey hopes to eventually expand The Care Cottage by placing smaller community pantries in Scranton and Pamplico. She also envisions converting an enclosed trailer into a mobile shower facility that could travel between communities and give people experiencing homelessness a place to shower and change clothes.
“If it wasn’t for the community, I would not be able to do this,” Casey said. “I’ve been blown away by all of the generosity.”
Individuals and businesses interested in donating or sponsoring a family may message The Care Cottage on Facebook or email thecarecottage@yahoo.com. The Care Cottage is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and monetary donations may be made through Cash App at $TheCareCottage.
PayPal donations may be made by logging into an account, selecting “Send and Request” and searching for “The Care Cottage.” The correct account displays The Care Cottage’s pink lily logo as its profile picture.
The Care Cottage is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
