EDITORIAL: Give more than thanks this holiday season

“We are a country that prides itself on power and weatlh, yet there are millions of children who go hungry every day. It is our responsibility, not only as a nation, but also as individuals, to get involved. So, next time you pass someone on the street who is in need, remember how lucky you are, and don’t turn away.”
—Lesley Boone

Yesterday, most Americans enjoyed a big turkey dinner, football, family and faith. Today, many are focused on shopping. Meanwhile, one in eight families in South Carolina is worried about their next meal. Half of those are children.

The annual U.S. Department of Agriculture survey of hunger in the United States released in November showed South Carolina fairing poorly. Our state had the highest rate of households with “very low food security” at 6.3 percent compared to a national average of 3.8 percent.

In Darlington County, a 13 percent unemployment rate has exacerbated the problem of hunger.

The current food stamp program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, has served America’s needy for 40 years and tries to address this issue. In 2008, an average of 28.4 million people used food stamps each month with an average benefit of $102 per person per month.

In South Carolina, 250,000 households use the program, and 90 percent earn less than the poverty guide ($33,000 for a family of four). More than half of those households have children in them, and 18.3 percent are disabled.

Close to 20 percent of households using food stamps are non-disabled elderly adults in our state, though the Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging says a boost in state funding for senior services includes home delivered and congregate meals should provide some help to low-income seniors.

“$2.9 million in supplemental funding will address waiting lists for nutrition and other key services for low income seniors in all 46 counties,” Lt. Governor André Bauer said. This assumes, however, that the state budget won’t have be cut again due to declining revenues.

The number of households needing assistance has increased 2.1 percentage points from 1996 to 2008 in our state.

Locally, there are many groups that are trying to address the problem.

On College Avenue, the Hartsville Soup Kitchen is open at 11:30 a.m. daily to serve a hot meal.

Angel Food Ministries sells food boxes to feed a family of four for about $30. To place an order, stop by the Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1410 Bobo Newsom Highway, or call (843) 332-3391 from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Saturdays to place an order.

John Wesley United Methodist Church Food Bank provides non-perishable items to help feed the needy in Lee and Darlington counties. John Wesley UMC is a partner with Harvest Hope Food Bank. Items can be dropped off at 304 E. Main St. in Lamar. For information, call (843) 326-5334 or Dorothy Evans at (843) 332-2314.

Carolina Kids’ Hunger Busters program sends needy children home with bags of nutritional snacks each week at Southside Early Childhood Learning Center in Hartsville and Brunson-Dargan in Darlington. The bags contained non-perishable foods such as pudding, granola bars, cereal bars, apple sauce, juice boxes and bread, when they are able to get it from Harvest Hope. The food varies from week to week.

“Carolina Kids is able to provide the Hunger Busters program to the children because of community support and a grant we received from FEMA,” Board member and volunteer Andrea Pulling said. “Without our grant, this program would not be possible. We are able to get some of the food for Hunger Busters from Harvest Hope Food Bank which helps make the program cost effective.”

For more information on Carolina Kids LLC, call Daphne Areephanthu at (843) 229-8689. If you wish to make a contribution, the mailing address is PO Box 28, Hartsville, SC 29550.

Several other area churches have discount or free meals on certain days of the month. Harvest Hope Food Bank at the Pee Dee Farmers Market provides food to families as well.

Give thanks this holiday season, but do so in actions as well as words.

Donate your time, food or money to one of the many non-profit organizations in our area that help those most in need. You never know when you may be the one who needs the helping hand.