Please help South Carolinians struggling with food insecurity

LOCAL MINISTRIES

NOV. 27 - Thanksgiving Dinner at Broad Street United Methodist Church, Clinton, will be Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, Noon - dine in or take out.RSVP for deliveries to 864-547-1007 by Nov. 21. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED -- Anthony J. Sims Ministries has announced that on Saturday, Nov. 22, they will be handing out food at the Celebration Outreach Center, South Harper Street in Laurens. Since Covid, they have changed from having folks gather for a meal to providing families with the groceries they need to prepare a great Thanksgiving meal at home - they distributed 215 turkeys and 185 bags of groceries last year. But, this does not happen without help. If you are moved and able to help, make checks payable to Rev. Anthony Sims and send them to 432 S. Livingston St., Clinto, SC 29325. Any amount will assist this effort and will be appreciated. The New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church houses the Soup Kitchen of Laurens County. We do mass feeding for people every year during Thanksgiving and Christmas. We do this work to honor the command of Jesus Christ to feed the hungry and to take care of those in need. Some of the businesses in Laurens County have gone beyond the call of duty to help us. We are very grateful. Last year, on Thanksgiving and Christmas, we fed over 1,500 people. We are hoping to increase this amount this year. Prices of food are higher than ever, and the price continues to rise; however, we are commanded by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to feed the hungry. We aree asking for your help to accomplish our goal this year for Thanksgiving on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, and for Christmas on Monday, December 22, 2025. Our menu consists of turkey and dressing, rice and gravy, macaroni and cheese casserole, green beans, cranberry sauce, roll, and dessert. Napkins, plastic forks, spoons, knives and covered plates are needed, as well. We also need volunteers to engage in this divine work. We will serve Thanksgiving dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 25 and Christmas dinner on Monday, Dec. 22, beginning at 10 a.m. at New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church located at 24277 Highway 76 East, Clinton, South Carolina. We thank you in advance for your help and ask God’s blessings upon you. The church is tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Service Code 501-C-3. The South Carolina Baptist Convention files for a group exemption for its churches on an annual basis and our group exemption number is 1651. Sincerely yours, Revender David Kennedy Pastor & Founder, New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church, The Soup Kitchen of Laurens County, P.O. Box 8, Laurens, SC 29360 TEL: 864-833-3377 FAX: 864-833-3366”

According to Harvest Hope, one in eight South Carolinians were already struggling with hunger before the shutdown.

In South Carolina, roughly 550,000 people in more than 260,000 households relied on benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Association Program last month to help them put food on the table, according to the state Department of Social Services.

To qualify for SNAP, a household’s monthly income can’t exceed 130% of the federal poverty level.

There are many more folks in our state who may not qualify for SNAP benefits but still need help. Many former federal employees are still looking for work after being terminated. And employees furloughed amid the government shutdown may need assistance for the first time.

Here are a few suggestions about how to keep putting food on the table as uncertainties continue.

The federal Emergency Food Assistance Program allows households with income up to 150% of the federal poverty level to receive groceries through local food banks. You can access assistance in South Carolina by visiting GetCareSC. You can also dial 211 or text “help” to 211-211, which will connect you to local food pantries, meal programs and other food support.

Local farmers’ markets often distribute surplus produce and partner with SNAP outreach programs through the South Carolina Department of Social Services’ Healthy Bucks program.

Suggestions by AARP for reining in grocery costs include buying in bulk and freezing what you won’t use right away and making “soup your secret weapon.” Look for grocery stores that offer senior discounts, like Harris Teeter, which offers 5% off on Thursdays for shoppers 60 and older. Some Publix stores in South Carolina offer a discount for shoppers over 60. Ask about it at your local store. And look for discount coupons for the items on your grocery list.

If you’re fortunate in not being affected by federal cuts or the shutdown, please consider helping your fellow South Carolinians.

Options include donating to the One SC Fund, the state’s emergency relief fund that was activated Oct. 28. Its first distribution to food banks was last week.

The South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs is again partnering with Harvest Hope Food Bank for the fourth annual Thanksgiving food drive, which continues through Friday, Nov. 21. This year’s drive will provide assistance to veterans as well as other South Carolinians impacted by the record-breaking shutdown. For those who wish to donate, there’s a list of “most needed items” on the agency’s website. There’s also a list of four drop-off locations for non-perishable food items:

• Harvest Hope Upstate, 2818 White Horse Road, Greenville
• Harvest Hope Midlands, 2220 Shop Road, Columbia
• Department of Veterans Affairs, 1800 St. Julian Place, Suite 305, Columbia
• Harvest Hope Pee Dee, 2701 Alex Lee Boulevard, Florence

Financial contributions are also being accepted to help purchase food for the drive.

According to Harvest Hope, one in eight South Carolinians were already struggling with hunger before the shutdown.

This upcoming holiday season is the perfect time to help our fellow South Carolinians who are struggling with food insecurity for whatever reason.

TOM ERVIN

Tom Ervin of Greenville is a retired Circuit Court judge and a former commissioner on the South Carolina Public Service Commission.