Pennies from Heaven began earlier this year because 14-year-old Girl Scout Emily Wirthlin started collecting pennies. And lots of them. Her goal: to raise a million pennies (or ten thousand dollars) to help those in Greenville County who are homeless and have a mental illness. The money benefits MHAGC, who has partnered with Emily in this project. MHAGC gives interest-free $500 loans to individuals who are homeless and have a mental illness as start-up funds for expenses such as deposits, rent, utilities and furniture. Along with the funds, recipients receive help from MHAGC for budgeting and household management. Recipients then pay the loan back to MHAGC over the course of one year, so that the funds will then be available for future recipients. |