Second Helpings is a volunteer-driven organization that rescues food from grocery stores and other outlets in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties. We deliver it the same day, at no cost, to food pantries and other Agency Partners serving the less-fortunate.
We are a unique nonprofit in that we serve other nonprofits.
We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that has been awarded Angel Charity Status by South Carolina. All of our funding comes from private donations. Nearly 90 cents of every dollar we receive goes directly to providing food for our neighbors in need. Our volunteers keep our overhead low while allowing our Agency Partners to use their funds on their core missions with no overlap of services.
Here’s a short video that tells you all about us and our impact: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wZXAV1gew4
Our History
This year marks Second Helpings’ 30th anniversary of serving our local community!
Second Helpings has been rescuing food since 1992. Guenther and Louise Hecht, residents of Hilton Head Island, noticed how much food was being thrown away by grocery stores and restaurants and decided to take action. The Hechts and a group of dedicated volunteers, using their own cars, started collecting the food and bringing it to several local food pantries. They bought their first refrigerated truck six months later.
Thanks to our donors and volunteers, we have grown steadily over the years, serving new agencies and areas. Second Helpings now has eight refrigerated trucks that collect food seven days a week, 52 weeks a year and deliver it the same day to our Agency Partners in much of the southern South Carolina Lowcountry. Through 2021, we have delivered nearly 40 million pounds of food to our neighbors in need. And the need is still great in our community.