The Coastal Community Foundation (CCF) has reactivated The Care Fund, an emergency grantmaking program that provides rapid-response funding to organizations across the foundation’s nine-county service area. The fund aims to help communities affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown and the temporary loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
The Care Fund was last activated during the 2019 government shutdown. As of Nov. 1, more than 122,000 people within CCF’s service area have lost access to SNAP benefits, placing additional strain on families already facing food insecurity. Many federal workers have also been furloughed and are without pay.
“It’s the beginning of the month, which means the mortgage or rent is due,” said Darrin Goss Sr., president and CEO of Coastal Community Foundation. “For federal workers without income and SNAP recipients without resources, there are limited avenues to put food on the table. We’re hearing from nonprofit partners like the Lowcountry Food Bank that need is at its highest level in more than a decade. For every meal that a food bank provides, SNAP provides nine. The shutdown has exponentially increased the demand.”
To help meet that demand, the Lowcountry Food Bank estimates it must add at least $125,000 in food assistance each week. CCF has set a goal to raise $500,000 through The Care Fund to ensure the food bank and its partners can continue providing meals through November.
Donations can be made here. All contributions go directly to food assistance—CCF does not collect administrative fees, and the Lowcountry Food Bank will waive cost-share fees for grants received through The Care Fund. Donors can specify if they want their gift directed to the Lowcountry Food Bank or to a particular county within CCF’s service area.
“Coastal Community Foundation has played an instrumental role as a valued partner and one of the founders of the Lowcountry Food Bank,” said Nick Osborne, president and CEO of the Lowcountry Food Bank. “As more of our neighbors face food insecurity—many for the first time—this partnership helps us expand access to nutritious food and ensure no one in the Lowcountry faces hunger alone.”
Applications are now open for organizations seeking support from The Care Fund. Priority will be given to nonprofits providing emergency food, housing and utility assistance. Eligible applicants include government agencies, recognized houses of worship and 501(c)(3) organizations serving Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry and Jasper counties. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
With 50 years of experience responding to crises—from hurricanes to the COVID-19 pandemic—CCF is uniquely positioned to connect donors, nonprofits and community leaders to deploy funds where they are needed most.