COLUMBIA, S.C. — As the holiday season approaches, food insecurity in Richland County and across South Carolina remains a critical issue. According to Feeding America, nearly 700,000 residents statewide face hunger.
Local organizations are stepping up to ensure that families in need have access to meals during this season of giving.
Harvest Hope, the largest food bank in South Carolina, is making a significant impact by serving up to 500 families daily through partnerships with over 400 agencies across the state. Harvest Hope is at the center of a network providing emergency food assistance in 20 counties, from soup kitchens to church-run food pantries.
“We partner with over 400 agencies in South Carolina—soup kitchens, churches, smaller food banks. We’ve really become the hub, and they go out and do smaller emergency food pantries in their particular areas,” said Diana Sharpe, vice president of Philanthropy at Harvest Hope.
In Richland County, the Brasley Foundation is doing its part to spread holiday cheer and fight hunger. The organization will host its 14th annual free Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday at Eau Claire High School, providing warm meals to those in need.
“Everyone is bringing food that is already prepared. Our brother, Marlon Ferguson, who is a pastor in northeast Columbia, will be frying 19 turkeys on Saturday night and staying up through the night,” said Roger Brasley, founder of the Brasley Foundation.
Last year, the event fed over 1,200 people, and Brasley hoped to serve just as many this year.
“We won’t have anyone missing a plate. We will make sure everyone is fed, and it is absolutely free to everyone that comes. It’s not just the Eau Claire community; it’s the entire state,” Brasley said.
The Thanksgiving dinner will take place at Eau Claire High School from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
If you want to help South Carolinians facing hunger, visit Harvest Hope’s website.