Crowd turns out for free food distribution in Florence

FLORENCE — More than 250 people waited in line Monday morning in Florence to receive donations of free food boxes from the Harvest Hope Food Bank of the Pee Dee.

The food bank set up a mobile pantry at Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, near the corner of East Pine and Johns streets.

Pantry organizers said they prepared for a large crowd of people, but had no idea so many would turn out to receive assistance.

“I drove up and there were lines all down the street,” said Patsy Sawyer, branch manager of the Harvest Hope Food Bank of the Pee Dee. “I was glad, but in a way it’s kind of sad to know that there are that many people right around in one area that are in need."

Sawyer said the organization assembled about 300 food boxes containing everything from crackers to vegetables to meat.

Harvest Hope anticipated a crowd of maybe 100 to 200 people, but were taken by surprise when the lines continued to grow down each side of Johns Street on Monday morning, Sawyer said.

“I’ve never seen this many people at any of our mobile food pantries before,” she said. “We’ve been doing them for over 20 years now."

Many of those receiving assistance said they were forced to ask for help because of the deteriorating economy.

“I just think it is the economy, with gas prices and food is even going up and people are just having a time, they’re unemployed, they can’t find work,” Sawyer said.

Some of those seeking assistance said they couldn’t afford the necessities and were looking for any help to get by.

“I asked some of the people, what would they do if they didn’t come here today?” Sawyer said. “They said they would borrow money and then they’d go borrow food ... sometimes they just go without.”

Harvest Hope Food Bank provided the boxes to anyone seeking assistance Monday. Each person receiving a box simply had to fill out an application stating the reason why he or she was facing financial hardships and needed the food items. They then had to wait in line to receive the items from the mobile pantry location.

Harvest Hope officials say it’s very rewarding to be able to help community members in need. They also said it wouldn’t be possible without donations of food items and local food drives.

Harvest Hope of the Pee Dee serves seven counties: Florence, Darlington, Chesterfield, Dillon, Marion, Marlboro and Lee.

On average, Harvest Hope sees a complete turnover of the product in its warehouse every seven to 10 days.

HOW TO HELP

Harvest Hope’s Pee Dee branch is located at 2513 W. Lucas St., at the Pee Dee State Farmer’s Market, in Florence. It can be reached at (843) 661-0826.

Food is always needed, and food drives are always welcome. The food pantry is open from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The most needed food items include:

• Canned meat and fish

• Peanut butter (in plastic jars)

• Canned vegetables and fruits

• Breakfast cereal

• Personal care items (soap, shampoo, etc.)

• Any nutritionally dense foods

Those with questions about sponsoring a food drive are asked to contact Wendy Jo DuRant at (803) 254-4432, ext. 100, or wdurant@harvesthope.org.
Wholesalers, retailers or manufacturers interested in donating product and/or fresh produce should contact Kimberly Johnson, food resource coordinator, at (803) 254-4432, ext. 108, or at kjohnson@harvesthope.org.