Lowcountry Food Bank Agency Conference offers best practices to its food pantry partners

August 13, 2019

The Lowcountry Food Bank (LCFB), which distributes food to nearly 300 partner agencies including soup kitchens, homeless shelters and emergency food pantries to serve people who struggle with hunger, held its fifth annual Agency Conference this week.

LCFB’s Agency Conference provides its agency partners with best practices for food service, connects them with resources that enhance their skill base and provides opportunities for professional development. At the conference, agencies also gain a greater understanding of LCFB initiatives and strategies that support equitable food access, promote food as medicine and empower clients through nutrition education and service with dignity.

Conference breakout sessions were chosen based on partner agency preferences: Introduction to Self-Care, Strategic Planning, Recruitment and Retention, and Build Your Fundraising Toolkit.

Keynote speaker Natalie Daise, Artist and Master Storyteller, best known as “Ms. Natalie” on Nick Jr.’s award-winning TV program, Gullah Gullah Island, engaged attendees with inspiring words about how to appreciate grace in our lives.

“Our agencies have their boots on the ground and work every day to directly feed our neighbors who struggle with hunger,” said Pat Walker, LCFB President and CEO. “At the LCFB, we find the food, schedule its delivery, and strategically plan and implement programs to fight hunger,” she said. “Our agencies receive and get that nutritious food to the people who need it. The Agency Conference is an opportunity for our agency partners to have fun and learn more about nutrition education, disaster preparedness and additional industry topics that interest them.”

The sponsors of the 2019 LCFB Agency Conference, which was held at Seacoast Church – Mt. Pleasant Campus, were Partner Sponsor Trident United Way and Title Sponsor Food Lion Feeds. Resource booths provided valuable industry and community information by SC Thrive, WellCare – which sponsored the conference breakfast – and Operation Home. Food Lion Feeds donated a new double-door refrigerator for an agency raffle.

81 LCFB partner agencies were present at the conference with a total of 175 people in attendance. Many LCFB agency partners volunteer their time to help fight hunger in the Lowcountry.

Click here to learn more about becoming a LCFB agency partner on the LCFB website Partner Agency page.