Press conference to announce retail donations to feeding the Carolinas food banks
March 29, 2022
Who: South Carolina Retail Association (SCRA), Feeding the Carolinas (including Harvest Hope Food Bank), Retailers and Members of the South Carolina General Assembly
What: The press conference will serve as the official presentation of the South Carolina Retail Association’s contribution of $50,000 to Feeding the Carolinas, as well as an announcement of donations valued at over $20,000 by SCRA Retail Member Companies including:
– DoorDash
– Food Lion
– Harris Teeter
– KJ’s Market/IGA
– Lowes Foods
– MDI
– Publix
– W. Lee Flowers
– Walmart
The press conference will also raise awareness of the ongoing needs of South Carolinians who are food insecure.
When: Wednesday, March 30, at 11:30 am
Where: South Carolina State House Rotunda
Key Times for Media:
11:30 am – 12:00 pm Press Conference in State House Rotunda
12:15 pm – 12:30 pm Photo op with trucks; trucks depart on Sumter Street for Harvest Hope
Why: Today, in South Carolina, 679,990 people are struggling with hunger – and over 200,000 of them are children. South Carolina’s retailers are behind the scenes helping food banks every day by providing significant support at both the local and state levels, through cash contributions, volunteers AND in-kind donations. The contributions of the retail community add up to millions of dollars annually in South Carolina.
On Wednesday, March 30, retail trucks will line Sumter Street adjacent to the South Carolina State House prior to delivering their donations to Harvest Hope Food Bank. These donations will be shared among the three Feeding the Carolinas’ food banks in South Carolina – Golden Harvest Food Bank, Harvest Hope Food Bank and Lowcountry Food Bank. Along with the product donations, several retailers made financial contributions with a total committed donation valued at over $20,000. In addition to the product and monetary donations made by South Carolina retailers, the South Carolina Retail Association will also present a check for $50,000 to Feeding the Carolinas. These funds are raised from the silent auction held at the annual conference of the Carolinas Food Industry Council (CFIC).
The South Carolina Retail Association and Feeding the Carolinas hopes this event will receive press coverage and encourage others who hear the message to support the food banks across our state. Donation bins have been set up throughout the state capitol grounds and will remain throughout the week.
Press Conference Participants:
Moderator – Lee Ann Watson, Executive Director, South Carolina Retail Association
Speakers – Commissioner Hugh Weathers – SC Department of Agriculture
Mike Darrow –Executive Director of Feeding the Carolinas
Erinn Rowe – Chief Executive Officer, Harvest Hope Food Bank
Attendees will include board members and representatives of the South Carolina Retail Association, Carolinas Food Industry Council, Feeding the Carolinas, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Second Harvest of Metrolina, Lowcountry Food Bank, and Golden Harvest Food Bank.
For additional information contact Lee Ann Watson (843) 340-7989
