Coastal Community Foundation, Trident United Way, and Palmetto Goodwill held a joint press conference on Wednesday to announce more than $340,000 committed to supporting the region through The Care Fund. The Care Fund provides flexible, rapid-response funding to communities impacted by the current government shutdown and lapse of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
“Every day without food stamps is a day families go hungry, and we needed to step in as quickly as possible,” said Darrin Goss, Sr., President and CEO of Coastal Community Foundation. “While philanthropy is not enough to fill the gap long-term, I am proud of our nonprofit partners for coming together and dedicating time, money, and resources so quickly to support the community’s immediate needs.”
The first grant from the fund will be $125,000 to the Lowcountry Food Bank (LCFB), which will cover the cost of the three additional truckloads of food LCFB needs to supplement one week of food assistance to meet the increased need.
“Together, Trident United Way and Coastal Community Foundation played a catalytic role in our founding back in 1983,” said Nick Osborne, Lowcountry Food Bank President and CEO. “However, even with all of our collective effort, food banks cannot close the food gap left by the recent federal program cuts. That’s why our long-standing allies like Coastal Community Foundation play such a vital role in the work we do. They have continued to support our growth into who we are today through their belief in our mission, which has strengthened us, and most importantly, nourished our communities.”
The initial $340,000 committed to The Care Fund includes:
- $150,000 from Coastal Community Foundation
- $50,000 from Trident United Way
- $50,000 from Palmetto Goodwill
- $25,000 from Saul Alexander Foundation
- $25,000 from Jerry Kaynard
- $25,000 from The Ackerman Foundation
- $10,000 from The Stoops Family Foundation
- $5,000 from The Post and Courier
Plus, as of Thursday morning, $6,375 from individual community donations.
Those interested in contributing to The Care Fund can do so here.
“Trident United Way proudly stands alongside Lowcountry Food Bank, Coastal Community Foundation and Palmetto Goodwill because when families in our region face hardship, we take care of one another — united in purpose and compassion,” said D.J. Hampton, President and CEO of Trident United Way. “Together we’re showing what it means to live in a community that refuses to let anyone face hardship alone.”
The Care Fund will prioritize grant support for organizations delivering emergency food, housing, and utility assistance. Eligible organizations must operate within the nine-county region of Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, and Jasper counties. The applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis to remain flexible and responsive to the rapidly evolving environment. At the time of this release, 13 organizations have applied for financial support through The Care Fund. The application to apply for grants can be found here.
“We recognize the way to truly achieve the greatest impact is through partnerships,” said Brian Itzkowitz, President and CEO of Palmetto Goodwill. “We can’t operate in silos and tackle big problems. When our community needs us most, we show up together, and Palmetto Goodwill is grateful for this opportunity to collaborate to meet the needs of individuals and families in our community.”
More than 128,000 people in coastal South Carolina are experiencing food insecurity due to the loss of SNAP benefits, which does not include federal workers who are not receiving a paycheck during the shutdown. The Care Fund will remain active while the government shutdown persists and provide aid during the residual challenges that will continue after the shutdown ends.