North Charleston Wednesday is the 36th day of the government shutdown, and local support groups are raising funds to assist families put food on the table.
The Charleston Community Foundation (CCF) aims to raise $500,000. This would supply food for families through November. So far, they and organizations such as Palmetto Goodwill and Trident United Way have raised more than $330,000.
“The way to achieve the greatest impact is through partnership,” Palmetto Goodwill president of mission services, Mary-Ann Gilmer, stated. “We cannot operate in isolation and expect to have a significant difference. We are thrilled to be a part of this cooperation to assist families in need in the Lowcountry, and we know they are in need right now.”
CCF is activating its Care Fund, which provides emergency grants to assist households put food on the table. Since November 1, over 122,000 persons they assist have lost access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Many of those impacted are youngsters, the elderly, or persons with disabilities.
“Families are choosing between paying rent and putting food on the table,” CCF CEO Darrin Goss, Sr., stated. “Every day without food assistance means that families go hungry. We cannot wait to assist them.”
While their goal of $500,000 would cover families until November, officials say they must also plan for sustainability.
“We have continued to learn lessons from the pandemic,” Lowcountry Food Bank CEO Nick Osborne stated. “We’ve continued to invest heavily in that capacity, whether in storage, refrigeration, or transportation, because we know we’re always one step away from the next crisis. So here we are. We’ve found ourselves in the next crisis.”
