Activate to fight hunger during Hunger Action Month in September with the Lowcountry Food Bank

September 16, 2020

During Hunger Action Month across the country this month, the Lowcountry Food Bank (LCFB) announces its virtual Activate to Fight Hunger fundraiser.
Activate to Fight Hunger participants can help meet the goal to create 180,000 much-needed meals by donating $32, telling 32 people about hunger and activating for 32 minutes a week. The number 32 represents the weekly SNAP benefit amount (formally known as food stamps) for one person. Activate to Fight Hunger is a fun, family-friendly, virtual event to promote the Lowcountry Food Bank’s mission to lead the fight against hunger in our community.

The Lowcountry Food Bank’s Activate to Fight Hunger web page provides instructions for how to raise funds for those in our community who struggle with hunger. Participants may “activate” individually or gather friends, family or coworkers to create a team. Supporters can choose how they will activate to fight hunger, whether it’s running, walking, biking, or even binge watching 32 episodes of television.

The “Activate” web page also includes an “I just want to donate” button for those supporters who simply wish to make a monetary donation.
Some of the ways that supporters can participate in the Activate to Fight Hunger fundraiser include:

  • Fundraise or donate at least $150 to receive a Hunger Hero t-shirt and help the Lowcountry Food Bank reach its goal of creating 180,000 meals this month
  • Wear orange this month and tag us on social media @lcfoodbank
  • Attend our Stryke Out Hunger workout class on September 19 at 9:00 a.m. (a socially distanced, outdoor class).

Activate to Fight Hunger is a good way to meet the increased need for food that COVID-19 has brought to our community. With a decrease in donated food, LCFB is purchasing more food by the truckload. We have served an additional 70,000 individuals and more than 5 million meals since COVID-19 began. Many of our neighbors who have lost their livelihood are struggling to put food on the table.

The following points illustrate how the LCFB has responded to the increased demand for food assistance since the COVID-19 pandemic began:

  • Over 67,000 shelf stable disaster relief boxes packed and distributed
  • Over 98,000 pre-packed produce boxes distributed
  • 484% increase in food assistance at the LCFB emergency food pantry
  • 6 million additional pounds of food distributed
  • More than 30,000 backpacks of food to children who depend on school lunches
  • More than 39,560 senior meals prepared and distributed

During this same time period, more than 30% of the LCFB’s total food distribution has been comprised of fresh fruits and vegetables.

In March, the LCFB quickly adjusted its business model due to drastic declines in retail food donations, social distancing limitations on volunteer efforts, and the need for low-contact distributions. Drive-thru food distribution models were created to protect LCFB partner agencies and food pantries, LCFB neighbors in need, volunteers and staff.

The LCFB also increased its already stringent food safety and safe handling practices to include social distancing and additional sterilization procedures as recommended by the CDC.

 

About the Lowcountry Food Bank: Feed. Advocate. Empower.

The Lowcountry Food Bank serves the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina and distributed more than 32 million pounds of food in 2019. The Lowcountry Food Bank helps fight hunger by distributing food to nearly 300 partner agencies including soup kitchens, homeless shelters and emergency food pantries. The Lowcountry Food Bank advocates on behalf of those who experience hunger and helps empower people to make healthy and nutritious food choices.