Staff reports
Second Helpings, the food nonprofit serving Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties, will be distributing more than 60,000 pounds of chicken to local food pantries in September, October, and December to benefit neighbors in need.
The distribution is made possible by a grant from S.L. Gimbel Foundation, a component fund at The Inland Empire Community Foundation. The Foundation is based in California.
“We’re consistently asked by food pantries for more protein, especially chicken,” said Marcus Tanner, director of operations. “This generous grant will allow us to supply many families with a healthy source of protein over the next several months. We are extremely grateful to the S.L. Gimbel Foundation for supporting our work.”
Tanner added that David Martin, owner of Hilton Head Island’s Piggly Wiggly, is assisting with the purchase of such a large amount of chicken.
“We got the grant and then began investigating how to make almost $100,000 go as far as we can to purchase chicken,” Tanner said. “Mr. Martin stepped up and helped us make the purchase in packages that will be a great size for any household (2.5 pound trays of eight chicken thighs); thus ensuring that our nonprofit receives the most product for the lowest price.”
The first chicken distribution was on Monday, Sept. 23 and they will continue to some 40 food pantries in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties.
Already, food pantry directors are praising this latest effort by Second Helpings to help feed the hungry. “I think this is a blessing as [our clients] always ask about meats. This will put a smile on their faces, and food in their bellies,” said one director. Another called it a “wonderful treat.”
Chicken is considered to be an excellent source of protein and has less saturated and trans fats than many other animal protein sources.
To learn more about Second Helpings and how you can get involved, go to www.secondhelpingslc.org.
