Serve & Connect holds 14th Greg’s Groceries Packing event on Oct. 6
October 3, 2022
Serve & Connect will host its 14th Greg’s Groceries Packing Day on Oct. 6, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Walmart on Forest Drive in Columbia, SC. Greg’s Groceries, the signature initiative of the nonprofit’s Compassionate Acts Program, provides thousands of boxes of non-perishable food to individuals and families in need. The community-impact event is sponsored by Walmart, a Serve & Connect national brand partner, and Americans for Prosperity.
The event’s efforts are supported by Serve & Connect partners, such as the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), and will bring together officers from more than 50 South Carolina police departments with community and partner volunteers to pack 2,000 non-perishable food care packages that feed families of four for up to one week.
“SLED is proud to partner with Serve & Connect,” said SLED Chief Mark Keel. “SLED’s Community Relations Agents utilize the Greg’s Groceries boxes to help support struggling families in our communities. Working together is how we create a safer state, no matter if you come from a big city or a small town. Food box packing days bring us together and show that we all have the same mission – to help people.”
Inspired by Walmart, this packing day’s theme, “Beyond the Box,” shows how the impact of Greg’s Groceries goes beyond the box of food and acts as a connection between police and community members. In addition to packing non-perishable food care packages, attendees will have the opportunity to go “Beyond the Box” at an on-site resource fair providing information regarding mental health, COVID-19, domestic violence, housing, human trafficking, youth services, substance abuse, suicide prevention and more. An awards luncheon recognizing local law enforcement will conclude the day.
“We are thrilled to partner with Serve & Connect on this incredibly vital mission,” shared Brian Little, Walmart’s director of global communications. “Access to food is essential for growth, but there are many other pieces in the puzzle of success. We hope to help spread education and access to these important tools within our community.”
Greg’s Groceries is the only statewide initiative of its kind in America. Founded in 2017 to honor fallen police officer Greg Alia, the program has held more than 14 packing events providing over 10,000 meals to families in need. To date, Greg’s Groceries has 70% of all South Carolina counties participating in the program and is represented by more than 50 local departments and two state agencies. For a complete list of participating departments, see www.serveandconnect.org/gregs-groceries.
ABOUT SERVE & CONNECT
Serve & Connect is a SC-based nonprofit that works directly with law enforcement, community stakeholders, and citizen leaders to create police and community partnerships that bring about positive change and promotes safe, happy and resilient communities. For more information, visit serveandconnect.org.
