FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2023
COLUMBIA, SC — To celebrate National Nutrition Month in March, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)’s The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education Program (SNAP-Ed) organized the donation of 430 pounds of canned food and other items to Harvest Hope Food Bank.
Items donated included canned meat, soup and vegetables, peanut butter, mac and cheese, dried beans, paper goods, pop-top foods, pasta, rice, cereal , jelly, etc. Food boxes have been set up at Midlands DHEC sites as well as at the Lexington County Health Department and Department of Social Services.
“Harvest Hope Food Bank is extremely grateful for the partnership and support of DHEC in its National Nutrition Month food drive,” said Megan Evans, Marketing and Communications Specialist for Harvest Hope. “The donation we received will go directly to our neighbors who need it the most. We truly could not accomplish this necessary work without the support of our generous donors, supporters and volunteers.
National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign created 50 years ago in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about informed food choices and the development of healthy eating habits and physical activity. This year’s theme was “Fuel for the Future”.
Each year, DHEC promotes and celebrates the event in a variety of ways, including involving agency employees in a variety of community-focused events.
“We are very grateful to have had so many people giving back, especially when food prices are at an all-time high,” said Farrah Wigand, Registered Dietitian for the SNAP-Education Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. “One in 10 South Carolina residents is affected by hunger, so collecting food on behalf of those in need was an easy way for us to take action to help our communities.”
Harvest Hope is South Carolina’s largest food bank, providing more than 20 million meals on average to the communities we serve in 20 counties in the Midlands, Upstate and Pee Dee regions.
Harvest Hope works with over 300 partner agencies to distribute food to people facing food insecurity. Its partners include food pantries, shelters, soup kitchens and more.
To get involved with Harvest Hope by donating or volunteering, visit harvesthope.org/get-involved.
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