Last year, 323 Second Helpings volunteers picked up more than 2.6 million pounds of food and delivered it to more than 70 nonprofit agencies and churches throughout Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties. United Way of the Lowcountry, locally funded by community gifts, helped keep the Second Helpings trucks feeding those in need.
According to the national accounting firm of Pete Marwick, that 2.6 million pounds of local food equates to $4,004,000 worth of nutritious foods, said Peggy Warnke of Second Helpings.  “This food was not only saved from the landfills, but used to prevent approximately 1.3 million cases of hunger that local residents would have faced without our services.”
In the Lowcountry, $1,000 buys 30 days of fuel, insurance and maintenance for a Second Helpings delivery truck to redistribute nutritious food to those in need.
“We are proud to help support Second Helpings through United Way of the Lowcountry,” said Peter Post, chairman of the local United Way board. “The work they do is amazing, especially considering the rural nature of our two counties and the challenges of delivering food to all those in need.”
As of last week, the United Way of the Lowcountry Board of Directors announced gifts and pledges have been received totaling $1,346,684, or 48.2  percent, of the organization’s 2012 Fall goal of $2.8 million.
“We are well on our way but there’s a lot of hard work ahead,” said Clarece Walker, president of United Way of the Lowcountry. “To the many who have given, we say ‘thank you,’ and to those who are ready to help advance the common good across Beaufort and Jasper counties, we are counting on your help.”
To learn more about United Way of the Lowcountry and its work to make our community a better place, call 843-982-3040 or visit www.uwlowcountry.org.