As coronavirus leaves more in Beaufort Co. out of work, demand at food banks soars
The truck that normally pulls in with food deliveries at Help of Beaufort didn’t arrive Monday morning.
The Port Royal nonprofit organization provides food and clothing for those who need it from its headquarters in a repurposed convenience store on Ribaut Road. Demand is high as thousands are out of work throughout Beaufort County amid fallout from coronavirus.
With schools and churches closed, the normal avenues for consistent donations have dried up. Beaufort County food banks are still operating but leaning on community donations and seeking grants to meet the need.
“There’s more demand than supply,” said Lili Coleman, executive director of Second Helpings on Hilton Head Island. “We are asking agencies and clients and anyone needing food to only take what they need.”
Coleman’s organization is part of a network of 55 other agencies in Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties, including food pantries, soup kitchens and churches.
Demand has increased 50 percent as more people suddenly find themselves out of work, Coleman said.
The run on grocery stores has meant less excess that stores might have donated. Volunteers are also in short supply as people stay home to avoid COVID-19 risks.
The Beaufort Area Hospitality Association started an online fundraiser to help restock food pantries and serve out-of-work hospitality employees. The organization had hoped to raise enough money to order a truckload from foodservice distributor US Foods. If not, the money will go directly to local food banks, Beaufort Area Hospitality Association director Ashlee Houck said.
“People need to stop taking more than they should be taking,” Houck said. “It’s hurting our neighbors; it’s hurting our communities. You don’t need to hoard right now. That’s not the issue.”
Second Helpings has also urged agency leaders to distribute less food per client, to teach people ways to effectively share and to ensure that only one person per family is picking up food.
Those wanting to help can donate food directly to Second Helpings trucks stationed at Grayco hardware store on Lady’s Island, at the organization’s Hilton Head office, or at the truck inside Sun City for that community’s residents. They need non-perishable items like pasta, canned meats, canned fruits and cereals.
Second Helpings is dipping into its operating money to buy non-perishable food and writing grant requests to help pay for more. It hopes to provide its network of organizations with enough food for two weeks, Coleman said.
After a call for donations, Help of Beaufort received a shipment of produce and perishable goods from Fishcamp on 11th Street. Help of Beaufort’s director, Lori Opozda, said the organization could also use packaged meat, such as ground beef or chicken, in quantities for small families.
Canned good donations are checked for the date and wiped down. Clothing is washed before it goes out racks outside the store, free for those who need it.
People used to come in and pick out their own food, but Help of Beaufort is bagging food now for families to come in, pick up and leave.
March is generally slow, but as many as 25 families are coming in the door each day, and needing food for up to 10 people.
“We put the word out last week, just sharing on Facebook and everything,” Opozda said. “A lot of the community has come together to make donations.”
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 2:49 PM.
