How York County VITA is Removing Barriers for Working Families
April 21, 2026
Written by Karl Vogl ll
In York County, a volunteer-driven program is working to change that.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, known as VITA, offers free tax preparation services to eligible taxpayers, helping ensure they receive the full refunds and credits they have earned. Operated locally out of Pathways Community Center, and Winthrop University the service is staffed entirely by IRS-certified volunteers and is designed to make tax filing accessible, accurate and free. VITA also partners with the City of Rock Hill and United Way
“We help the community file tax returns electronically, and we double-check everything to make sure taxpayers receive all the credits they’re entitled to,” said site coordinator Bill Perry. “There’s no charge, we’re 100% volunteers.”
VITA sites generally serve individuals who earn about $69,000 or less, as well as people with disabilities, limited English-speaking taxpayers and those who need assistance navigating the filing process. Services include preparation of basic returns, W-2 income, most 1099 forms and access to key credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. Some locations also assist with prior-year returns.
For many residents, avoiding preparation fees can make a meaningful difference.
Erin Freel, a York County resident and single mother, said she first learned about VITA while working at City Hall and has relied on it since.
“I thought it was incredible that there was a place people could go and get help without being charged,” she said. “A lot of private tax services charge too much, especially when you have additional credits.”
Those added fees can cut into refunds that families rely on for essential expenses.
“As a single mom who doesn’t receive child support, the child tax credit is a big deal,” Freel said. “But some places charge more just to process those credits, the same money you actually need.”
Using VITA has allowed her to keep more of her refund and better support her children.
“Having a free service means I get to keep what I’ve worked for,” she said. “That allows me to provide more for my kids. That’s a big deal.”
The York County VITA site recently relocated from City Hall to Pathways Community Center, a move that coordinators say has improved access and increased participation.
“Being at Pathways has made it easier for the community to come in and get services,” Perry said. “It’s a space that’s already centered around serving people, so it’s a natural fit.”
Since the move, the site has seen an increase in the number of taxpayers seeking assistance. Still, challenges remain. Assistant coordinator Janice Louttit said one of the most common issues is that filers arrive without the necessary documentation.
To complete a return, taxpayers are typically required to bring a government-issued photo ID, Social Security cards or ITINs for all household members, income documents such as W-2s or 1099s, a copy of the previous year’s tax return, and banking information for direct deposit. Married couples filing jointly must both be present.
Louttit said recent changes in tax laws have also added complexity for both taxpayers and preparers.
“After COVID, there were a lot of new programs and ongoing changes to the tax code,” she said. “Even recently, some updates were implemented so quickly that people’s documents don’t always reflect what non-taxable W-2 income is like overtime and tips.”
Despite those challenges, she said the work remains deeply rewarding.
“When I retired, I knew this is what I wanted to do,” Louttit said. “This is my favorite time of the year.”
For taxpayers like Freel, the value of the program goes beyond cost savings.
“It’s a safe environment,” she said. “They’re honest, they explain everything clearly, and they’re there to help. It shouldn’t be complicated.”
During the 2026 tax season VITA processed 5,263 returns representing 2,843 clients.
Though the tax season is now over, the York County VITA site is seeking additional volunteers to meet growing demand. Community members can receive free IRS certification and training for next year, with opportunities to assist in tax preparation, client intake and site support.
Those interested in volunteering for the 2027 tax season are encouraged to connect with the VITA program at Pathways Community Center and help ensure more families can access the support they need.
Collective Impact in Action April continued to reflect what’s possible when a community remains committed to showing up for one another. Across the Pathways campus, partners, volunteers, and on-site agencies worked together to provide support, create opportunities, and walk alongside individuals and families navigating their journey toward stability and self-sufficiency. Throughout the month, 414 services were delivered across our campus. Each interaction represents more than assistance in the moment. It reflects collaboration, compassion, and a coordinated effort to help meet people where they are while supporting where they hope to go. One of the most meaningful milestones from April was seeing 10 individuals transition into independent housing , making it one of the strongest months we’ve experienced in helping people move into stable living situations. These moments represent hard work, persistence, and the power of having support systems in place that help make forward movement possible. April also marked the graduation of the second cohort of the York Technical College Culinary Workforce Readiness Program. Surrounded by family, friends, community members, and on-site partners, participants were celebrated for completing hands-on culinary training, building life skills, and preparing for employment opportunities within the culinary field. For many graduates, the ceremony represented more than the completion of a program. It reflected renewed confidence, discipline, and an important next step toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency. The work happening across Pathways continues to grow through consistency, partnership, and a shared commitment to caring for our community in tangible ways.
Collective Impact in Action May reflected the power of a community that continues to show up with compassion and purpose. Across the Pathways campus, our partners, volunteers, and on-site agencies worked together to provide 357 services , connecting individuals and families to housing support, healthcare, workforce development, recovery services, food assistance, and other essential resources that help create pathways toward stability and self-sufficiency. One of the month's most encouraging outcomes was seeing 100% of those served enhance their health and wellness through engagement with healthcare providers, counselors, peer support, and wellness programming. We also celebrated seven individuals transitioning into independent housing , each milestone representing resilience, partnership, and the impact of a community committed to walking alongside people on their journey. The work happening across Pathways continues to grow through collaboration, consistency, and a shared commitment to caring for the whole person. Together, we are building stronger foundations and creating new pathways for individuals and families to move toward lasting stability and self-sufficiency.
Every Saturday morning, long before the doors open, volunteers are already hard at work preparing for what has become a vital resource for hundreds of families across York County. Located on the campus of Pathways Community Center, Manna House Pantry serves approximately 380 households each week, providing food assistance to individuals and families facing food insecurity. What many people may not realize, however, is that Manna House began with something much smaller. In 2006, members of Mt. Prospect Baptist Church started a clothing ministry to support neighbors in need. Before long, a small table of canned goods was added to the effort. That table kept growing. "We had very few pieces of canned goods in the back on a table," recalled longtime volunteer Johnnie Mae. "From the table, it started growing, multiplying." As demand increased, the ministry expanded from a table to an annex, then to the church basement. In 2017, it became an independent nonprofit organization, and in 2019, Manna House partnered with Pathways Community Center to better serve the growing needs of the community. Over the years, strategic partnerships have helped Manna House expand both its reach and impact. Through its longstanding relationship with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and support from Food Lion Feeds, the pantry is able to provide fresh produce, proteins, dairy products, pantry staples, and other nutritious foods to the families it serves each week. These partnerships remain essential to ensuring community members have access to healthy, reliable food resources. Today, that small table has become a 6,000-square-foot food pantry operated almost entirely by volunteers. But for those who come each week, Manna House is about far more than food. More Than a Food Pantry For Ed and Melanie, who live on a fixed income, Manna House has become a weekly source of support. "We were just going by, saw a lot of cars, pulled in, and they were giving food away," Ed said. That spontaneous decision turned into a routine. "On a set income, it's made a difference. A really big difference." Like many families served through Manna House, they also share what they receive with others. "What we can't use, what we don't eat, we share it." That spirit of generosity surfaced repeatedly throughout interviews with clients. Valda Graham learned about Manna House through a chance encounter with a woman walking home with groceries. When she arrived for the first time, she was struck by the organization and hospitality of the volunteers. "I met these wonderful ladies and men who volunteer their time to try to help people," she said. As food prices continue to rise, the pantry has helped her stretch her budget while maintaining access to nutritious meals. "I'm eating better than I ever have," Graham said. Yet for Graham, the experience extends beyond food assistance. "This is part of my therapy," she said. "Because I know they pray for me too." A Community That Keeps Showing Up One of the most common themes heard from clients was not the food itself, but the people. "It's good to see the same ones over and over," Melanie said. "You feel a connection to them." Lawrence Simms has been visiting Manna House for years, often picking up food not only for himself but also for neighbors who cannot make the trip. "I come for handicapped people who can't get assistance to come here," he said. "I take it to their homes and deliver it." When asked what makes Manna House different, Simms did not hesitate. "Every last one of them," he said of the volunteers. "I consider them as my brothers and my sisters too." Volunteer Bill Scales has witnessed those relationships develop over more than a decade of service. "You definitely get used to the clients," Scales said. "When you're not here for a while, they'll say, 'Where were you last week?'" For many visitors, those familiar faces provide comfort, consistency, and a sense of belonging. Powered by Volunteers While hundreds of families arrive each Saturday, the work begins long before the first car enters the line. Throughout the week, volunteers sort food, stock shelves, prepare bags, enter client data, organize deliveries, and coordinate distributions. Approximately 25 regular volunteers support the operation during the week, with additional churches, civic groups, businesses, and community organizations serving on Saturdays. The pantry is also guided by a dedicated volunteer board of directors whose leadership helps sustain the organization's mission, operations, and long-term growth. Together, board members and volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year to ensure families throughout York County have access to nutritious food and compassionate support. Despite the scale of the operation, there are no paid employees running the pantry. Everything is powered by volunteers. "We love it," volunteer Debbie said. "It's fun giving them food." Her fellow volunteer Cindy echoed that sentiment. "They're very grateful." For many volunteers, the work is deeply rooted in faith and service. "I feel that God has blessed me to be able to do this," Johnnie Mae said. "As long as He lets me do it, I'm going to do it." Feeding More Than Hunger As one of the longest-standing partner agencies located on the Pathways Community Center campus, Manna House plays an important role in ensuring individuals and families can access basic necessities while working toward greater stability and self-sufficiency. The pantry's impact reaches far beyond the groceries loaded into vehicles each Saturday. It is reflected in neighbors sharing food with neighbors. In volunteers who know clients by name. In seniors stretching fixed incomes. In families making it through another week. In relationships built one conversation at a time. For those who have experienced Manna House firsthand, one word surfaced again and again. "Blessing." And after nearly two decades of serving York County, that blessing continues to grow. The work of Manna House reminds us that addressing food insecurity is about more than providing a meal. It is about creating a community where people feel seen, supported, and cared for. It is about neighbors helping neighbors, volunteers faithfully showing up week after week, and partnerships that make it possible to meet a critical need with dignity and compassion. As part of the collaborative network of agencies on the Pathways campus, Manna House continues to serve as a lifeline for hundreds of households each week, ensuring that individuals and families have access to nutritious food while taking steps toward greater stability and self-sufficiency. For those who need support or those looking for a place to serve, the message from the Manna House team remains simple: "We're here to serve," Scales said. "Anyone in need, if they're hungry, send them in this direction." Written by Tadean Page
