<em>Hunting Island State Park’s creative way of encouraging donations.
</em>

Hunting Island State Park, along with eight other South Carolina State Parks that lie within the coastal area of the state, are hosting a summer food drive.  The food drive began Memorial Day, 2014 and continues through Labor Day, 2014.  All donations collected during this time will be given to the Lowcountry Food Bank to help some of the 547,869 South Carolinians who live below the poverty line.

[caption id="attachment_18190" align="alignleft" width="200"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Cover-Lighthouse-replica.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-18190" alt="From left to right: Kenny Heater, Assistant Park Manager HISP, Brandon Bowers, Senior Park Ranger HISP, Bryce Payne, Store Director for BI-LO on Boundary Street, and Ryan Kingery, Store Director for BI-LO on Paris Island Gateway." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Cover-Lighthouse-replica-200x300.jpg" width="200" height="300" /></a> From left to right: Kenny Heater, Assistant Park Manager HISP, Brandon Bowers, Senior Park Ranger HISP, Bryce Payne, Store Director for BI-LO on Boundary Street, and Ryan Kingery, Store Director for BI-LO on Paris Island Gateway.[/caption]

In an effort to collect as many cans as possible, Hunting Island set the bar high.  Park staff posted flyers for the community to donate and help build a replica of the historic lighthouse from canned food.  Thanks to many caring individuals and one generous donation from Bi-Lo, this goal has been reached; and, cans continue to fill the
collection bins.

Hunting Island would like to send a special thanks to our two local Bi-Lo Stores located in Port Royal and Beaufort for their combined donation of over 670 cans of food.  This generous donation from Bi-Lo not only allowed Hunting Island to finish constructing the replica lighthouse, but will also go to help many more of our friends and neighbors in need.

The replica lighthouse, located in the park’s visitors center, stands over twelve feet tall and is constructed of 640 cans and 32 water bottles.  The canned food replica of the lighthouse will remain on display until the food drive comes to an end on Labor Day, 2014, and all donated food will be given to the Lowcountry Food Bank.  Don’t miss your chance to see the lighthouse yourself with its own working light adorning the top. When you stop by, don’t forget to bring a can of food to help those in need!