<strong>From staff reports</strong>

The Lowcountry Food Bank (LCFB), in partnership with the College of Charleston’s Riley Center for Livable Communities, announced a new online, interactive Lowcountry Food Finder Map.

The new map helps people in need find free food in the 10 coastal South Carolina counties served by the LCFB.

People trying to find nearby food pantries can go to https://bit.ly/lowcountry-food-resources and type in their location. A list of food resources with available times and days for sites closest to them will be provided.

Designed to work either from a mobile device or computer, the website includes three types of food distribution sites: Lowcountry Food Bank partner agency sites, coastal South Carolina school district sites, and additional food resource sites.

Because of the growing demand for food assistance, along with volatility in food sourcing by food banks and pantries during the COVID-19 pandemic, the website will be regularly updated as new information becomes available.

The need for the Lowcountry Food Finder Map is greater than ever due to the number of people seeking food assistance for the first time. Complexities of food distribution in the current environment and a lack of volunteers has caused almost 15 percent of food pantries in coastal South Carolina to close since mid-March.

Yet, according to Lowcountry Food Bank data, the demand for emergency or supplemental food has grown dramatically in the last few months.

The overall goal of the new food finder mapping tool is to help our neighbors in need find nutritious food and essential supplies for themselves and their families, especially during the coronavirus pandemic and resulting unemployment and economic disruption.