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SPARTANBURG — Free durable medical equipment is available to Spartanburg County residents through a local organization.
Spartanburg Shares loans equipment at no cost for up to 90 days with a photo ID. The organization has been around for nine years and serves those who are low-income, have no income, are uninsured or who have temporary needs. There is no income threshold or insurance status required.
“So many people work in blue collar industries like manufacturing or jobs where they might get injured, and they need that equipment,” said Evan Carr, lead volunteer coordinator.
On average, between 85 to 100 people a month check out equipment, according to Carr.
“We have so many low-income residents or people that don’t have insurance that desperately need and deserve the equipment to be able to recover,” he said. “It’s easy for those that don’t have insurance or that have no money.”
The organization has a wide range of non-electric equipment. People can get canes, wheelchairs, crutches, travel transport chairs, elevated toilet seats, bedside commodes, rollators and walkers. Carr said the organization doesn’t carry hospital beds due to lack of space. There are two rooms with equipment and space for people to test the equipment before checking out.
Returned or donated equipment is cleaned and repaired for the next person.
The group relies on donations. Carr said some of equipment comes from community partnerships with medical facilities such as Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System and organizations such as SC Hunters for the Hungry.
James Zukowski, board member and volunteer at Spartanburg Shares, said he volunteers three days a week. Zukowski heard about the organization after his son’s girlfriend got into a bad accident. In order to be released from the hospital, she needed the necessary equipment at home.
“I actually rented a truck and got all the stuff we needed,” Zukowski said. “After I realized it was free, I thought ‘what a great program to have for Spartanburg County.’”
Zukowski said sometimes hospitals send the organization a list of what a patient might need once they’re released.
The organization is in need of volunteers to work in the office, as well as clean and repair equipment. Those looking to check out medical equipment or volunteer can stop by 137 S. Dean St. in Spartanburg on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday from 2-6 p.m., or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We’re doing a service that nobody else does,” he said. “When something happens to somebody, they come to us.”
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