Harvest Hope Food Bank serves thousands of South Carolinians facing food insecurity. Now the nonprofit is expanding its reach to help individuals who are recovering from substance use disorders.
According to Harvest Hope Interim CEO Sy Hughes, the agency was contacted by Transitions, a Midlands Homeless Recovery Center. After feeding unhoused residents at the shelter through a separate partnership, the organization suggested Harvest Hope might also be able to help Lexington/Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council (LRADAC) feed residents enrolled in their inpatient treatment program. Hughes says the offer to increase Harvest Hope's outreach was something they were excited and intrigued by.
"It just seemed like a great fit," says Hughes. "The plan all along for Harvest Hope Kitchen was not to only feed the folks at Transitions but also see how this was going to work and see if we could expand to other local nonprofits. This was really good timing."
Through the collaboration, Harvest Hope will cook three fresh meals a day for 16 people staying at the 24-hour care facility during their rehabilitation journey. Hughes says this helps support the community while addressing an often-overlooked need for those in recovery, nutrition, and stability.
"Whether you are unhoused and looking or to better yourself and looking to stabilize your life, one of the first things you want to answer is, where is my next meal coming from?"
According to Hughes, Harvest Hope is collaborating with two nonprofits in the Midlands but wants to expand to the Upstate, and PeeDee area.
Harvest Hope Food Bank is the largest food pantry in the state providing 27 million meals each year to those in need. You can click here to find out more about Harvest Hope and the services they offer throughout the Palmetto State.
