Magnolia collecting “two tons” of food for local food bank

CHARLESTON, SC – For the third consecutive year, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens will collect food during the holiday season to benefit the Lowcountry Food Bank.

In November and December, bring one or more non-perishable healthy food item to Magnolia to receive a special discount off the general garden admission. Buy one garden admission for $15 and get the second one free. This offer begins Nov. 1 and expires Dec. 31.

Last year, Magnolia collected nearly two tons of food. Tom Johnson, Magnolia’s executive director, said, “This year we hope to exceed that amount to do better than last year. We want to collect more than two tons!”

Johnson is urging other companies in the tourism industry to also collect food for the food bank.

For the fourth year in a row, Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Award has named Charleston the nation’s top tourist destination. Johnson said, “We live in one of America’s most picturesque and historic cities, therefore, no one should be without in a city voted the best tourism destination in the country.”

Established in 1983, the Lowcountry Food Bank feeds the needy in ten coastal South Carolina counties by soliciting and distributing healthy food and grocery products to nonprofit agencies.

For this project, Magnolia is also working in association with the Venturing Crew 1676 of the Boy Scouts of America. Food collected at Magnolia will be turned over to the Crew for delivery to the food bank’s headquarters on Azalea Avenue in Charleston. Magnolia is a sponsor of the Venturing Crew.

Food collection began Saturday, Nov. 1, and it will continue until Wednesday, Dec. 31. The buy-one-get-one-free offer applies to adult and children admission prices to the gardens. The discount does not apply to the purchase of guided and unguided tours.

Guests are asked to donate useable food items that have not expired. The healthy foods that support the Food Bank’s nutritional initiative are:

•  Protein products such as peanut butter, canned chicken, salmon and tuna in water.
• Dried lentils and beans.
• Bread, flour and cereals should include whole wheat flour, 100 percent whole grain cereals and brown rice.
• Low or no salt, low and sugar free canned fruits and vegetables.
• Snacks such as dried fruit and reduced or sugar-free cookies.

For details on the foods that best serve the Food Bank’s mission, visit:http://www.lowcountryfoodbank.org/hope.