Lowcountry Food Bank receives end of year 2020 gift from D. Michael and Pam Wilson

January 4, 2021

The Lowcountry Food Bank (LCFB) announced today that Michael and Pam Wilson have provided a $50,000 donation toward COVID-19 food relief. The donation will be used to purchase and distribute “Fueled by Fresh” relief boxes of fresh produce and shelf-stable food designed to provide each family with one week’s worth of food.

The Wilsons have resided in the Charleston area since 2015. Michael Wilson was recently been named the new CEO of Prince International Corporation in Houston, TX, and was elected to the ASP Prince Holdings, LLC board of directors. The Wilsons intend to maintain residences in both Charleston and Houston. This latest gift will be split between the Lowcountry Food Bank and the Houston Food Bank. They plan to continue to support the LCFB through the “Fueled by Fresh” program they initiated earlier this year. The program was originally funded through a matching gift program that raised more than $300,000 in spring 2020.

“We understand that the critical need for food assistance remains high in the Lowcountry and in the Houston area,” said Wilson. “We will continue to support the LCFB and our Lowcountry neighbors who need food assistance. At the same time, we also want to begin to support our new neighbors in need in Houston.”

COVID-19 has created a tremendous increase in the demands on the Food Bank and its partner agencies and food pantries. The LCFB is meeting increased food needs while preparing for continued challenges in the months to come. During March – November 2020, the LCFB distributed more than 12 million pounds of COVID-19 disaster relief food.

“We are thrilled to receive another amazing gift from Michael and Pam Wilson. Our Lowcountry neighbors’ need for food assistance continues to be high as we navigate this pandemic,” said Pat Walker, President & CEO of the LCFB. “Their gift enables us to procure and distribute truckloads of healthy food for food insecure seniors, children, families, veterans and individuals throughout coastal South Carolina.”

The following points illustrate the increased demand on the LCFB because of the COVID-19 pandemic. March through November 2020, the LCFB has distributed:

  • More than 12 million pounds of COVID-19 disaster relief food
  • More than 184,000 boxes of fresh produce
  • More than 108,000 boxes of shelf-stable food
  • More than 6,400 emergency COVID-19 disaster food boxes.

Additionally:

  • More than 100 direct-to-client, drive-through food distributions have been held in the coastal South Carolina counties the LCFB serves
  • More than 19,000 COVID-19 disaster relief meals have been prepared in the LCFB’s Zucker Family Production Kitchen.

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 employees.

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.

To donate to COVID-19 food relief efforts, visit https://www.lowcountryfoodbank.org/covid19/

 

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 on-site meal programs, 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. For more information, go to the Lowcountry Food Bank website and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About D. Michael Wilson and Pam Wilson

D. Michael and Pam Wilson have been residents of greater Charleston since 2015. D. Michael Wilson previously served as President, CEO and Director of Ingevity Corporation. Additionally, locally he has served on the board of directors of the Trident United Way and the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. He previously served on the board and Finance Committee of Philabundance, Philadelphia’s largest hunger relief organization. Pam Wilson currently serves on the boards of the South Carolina Aquarium and Reading Partners South Carolina, where she is also a volunteer. She is a certified South Carolina Master Naturalist. She also serves on the Environmental Committee for the Town of Kiawah.