Walterboro District makes donation to USC-Salkehatchie Food Pantry

By the Rev. Adrienne Elaine Stokes

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on many problems we face in our communities. One problem is food insecurity.

During the pandemic, the federal government and schools provided meals and supplemental nutrition assistance for students in grades K-12. However, there are limited resources for college students.

There is a growing concern for college students who identify as food insecure. Feeding America data indicates that 31 percent of food-insecure individuals had to choose between paying for food or education; furthermore, 38 percent of college students identify as food insecure.

In late November, an article in the Press and Standard in Walterboro caught our attention. The article described University of South Carolina Salkehatchie’s growing concern among its students regarding food insecurity. USC Salkehatchie opened Student Food Pantries on their Walterboro and Allendale campuses to address this.

We wanted to help in the fight against hunger. The Outreach Committee of the Walterboro District Connectional Ministries solicited each United Methodist church in the Walterboro District and collected nonperishable food items and feminine products from clergy, laity and friends. We were able to fill a dump-trailer and a car trunk with non-perishable food items. We collected enough items to support the food pantries at both campuses: Allendale and Walterboro.

On Jan. 19, Walterboro District Superintendent the Rev. Joey McDonald blessed the items collected, and the contributions were taken to Lamar Hewett at the Campus Store on USC-Salkehatchie Walterboro campus, where the items were divided between the two campuses. This outpouring of support and love shown to our neighbors are greatly appreciated by the Outreach Committee of the Walterboro District Connectional Ministries.

Special thanks go to the Outreach Committee as well as to Harold McFadden, Clara McFadden, Eddie Stokes, Sherri Jerideau and the Rev. Marvin Jones for their assistance with loading and unloading the trailer.

Outreach comprises Jones, the Rev. Wilhelmina Thompson, the Rev. Keon Stephens and the Rev. Adrienne Elaine Stokes

Stokes is pastor of Buckhead and Hickory Hill UMCs in the Walterboro District.