Second Helpings provided 38,000 pounds of produce, baked goods, meats and dairy products for the evening food pantry at the Bluffton Boys & Girls Club, which is open to club members and their families.
Second Helpings, a nonprofit food rescue organization serving Beaufort, Hampton and Jasper counties, reports that the need for food has increased in 2022, as the highest rate of inflation in 40 years has significantly impacted lower-income families.
At the same time, supply chain challenges have reduced the amount of food available for rescue. This creates a “food gap” that Second Helpings is raising funds to address.
“Many of our agencies are serving more people in need,” said Marcus Tanner, Second Helpings executive director. “Some are seeing an increase of 10% or even more.”
The food pantries, soup kitchens and programs that Second Helpings serves are helping households to stretch their budgets to cover increased fuel, utilities and housing costs.
Through their annual Share the Bounty fundraiser, Second Helpings is working to provide more healthy food.
“For $30, we are able to purchase 20 pounds of fresh produce and proteins to supplement the rescued food that we provide to our agencies,” Tanner said.
The organization is targeting the purchase of 60,000 pounds of healthy food.
Tanner, a retired Marine Corps officer who has led Second Helpings since late 2021, has been impressed by the generosity of the local community. “We are fortunate to have so many individuals and organizations who donate their time and money to help us feed our neighbors who need it,” he said.
To assist Second Helpings in reaching the goal of 60,000 pounds of food, donate online at secondhelpings.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate-online. Donors can also send a check to Second Helpings, PO Box 23621, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925.
Learn more about Second Helpings at secondhelpingslc.org.
