COMMUNITY NEED
Many people in our local communities have to make a choice each day: skip a meal to purchase medicine, or eat less to pay a bill. Despite working one or more jobs, they still can’t make ends meet.
“When I first moved to this area, I never realized the poverty around me. Those in need include many of the hourly workers who groom the golf course grounds, work in the restaurants and provide the services that enable us to enjoy the paradise that we call home.”
HUNGER HAS A LOCAL ADDRESS.
Many people in our local communities have to make a choice each day: skip a meal to purchase medicine, or eat less to pay a bill. Despite working one or more jobs, they still can’t make ends meet.
ONE IN eight LOCAL RESIDENTS IS UNABLE TO AFFORD ALL THE FOOD THEY NEED.
This is called food insecurity. There is a high correlation between food insecurity and increased medical problems, including diabetes.
31,460 Lowcountry neighbors face food insecurity.
80% of local children
are on free or reduced-price lunches; in some towns, it’s 100%. Insufficient nutrition puts children at risk for illness, weakens their immune system and limits the growth and development of their bodies and brain. Adequate nutrition is an important success factor for school and outside activities.
40% of food
produced in our country goes to waste. Nearly all of this wasted food ends up in landfills, harming our environment.
This is where Second Helpings makes a difference. Our volunteers provide food to the hungry while eliminating food waste. We have seen the local need increase over the years, and we have expanded our area of service to help more people.
We collect and distribute more than three million pounds of food annually – 3.7 million pounds in 2025. We provided the equivalent of three million meals to 55 area food pantries, soup kitchens, family and senior programs.
Second Helpings neither solicits nor accepts payment for our food; it is free. We rely on the generosity of donors to fund our programs.
COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT
We are pleased to present our annual Impact Report. We are proud of the difference that we, in partnership with our network of 45 Food Donors and 55 Agency Partners and supported by your donations, are making in our local community. We are grateful for our 520 volunteers, who work tirelessly to bring this all together. We pledge to continue to expand and adapt our programs to meet the increasing need in the South Carolina Lowcountry.