Clovis’ Cupboard helps local kids in honor of late obstetrician

By the Rev. Darlene L. Kelley

CLINTON—Hungry children live in every county and every community in South Carolina. According to Feeding America, one in six children experience hunger and food insecurity in South Carolina.

But the people of Hopewell United Methodist Church are doing something to combat the pain of childhood hunger, providing nutritious, nonperishable food to students at Joanna Elementary School.

Inspired by the memory of a beloved United Methodist, Clovis’ Cupboard began as a way to honor Dr. Clovis Pierce, an obstetrician in the community and devoted member of Hopewell. When Dr. Pierce died in 2024, Rhonda Moore wanted to honor the doctor’s memory with a mission program. Since Dr. Pierce loved children and Moore knew the children in the local elementary school were underserved, a perfect mission match was made.

Now once a month, Pastor Kathy Cinnamond and members of Hopewell UMC gather after church to have lunch and pack pantry bags for the children. They pack the items they have collected all month, mindful of the students’ nutritional needs and the necessity of providing food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then Moore contacts the school and makes arrangements to deliver the much-needed donations.

Not only do the people at Hopewell enjoy the fellowship of working together but also the knowledge that they are honoring Dr. Pierce and serving God by helping children. And it doesn’t get better than that.