The Market shelves at Bluffton Self Help are bare and 850 families will rely on the organization to feed their families this summer. On May 13th Bluffton Self Help will host “Stock The Market Saturday” to accept food donations from 9 am. – 1 pm at their headquarters located at 39 Sheridan Park Circle #10, Bluffton, SC 29910.
Like last year, due to staffing issues locally, it is uncertain if the National Association of Letter Carrier’s “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive is happening in Bluffton. In the past, this event would typically stock The Market shelves with groceries that Bluffton Self Help and Lowcountry neighbors depend on to get through the difficult summer months. “Children will soon be out of school for the summer, no longer receiving school lunch and snacks. Many families also experience higher utility bills and childcare costs, over the summer, that put a strain on their budget,” said Danielle Dekruif, Bluffton Self Help’s Marketing & Communications Manager.
More than 850 families relied on The Market at Bluffton Self Help to put food on the table last year. Beaufort County is now the most expensive place to live in South Carolina. The average household grocery bill has gone up $395 a month compared to last year. For many, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments are no longer filling the gap, leaving them with impossible choices. As the cost of living continues to rise so does the need.
Neighbors are already turning to The Market at Bluffton Self Help, 10% more than last year. Bluffton Self Help’s work is more critically needed now than perhaps ever before. The Market at Bluffton Self Help is a safety net for the 50,000 households living paycheck to paycheck and on a fixed income. Hundreds of these families rely on Bluffton Self Help to put food on the table each week. Unfortunately, like many Lowcountry neighbors, Bluffton Self Help’s resources are also strained and inventory at The Market is running low on all the most needed items.
“Bluffton Self Help has been and will continue to be a lifeline for our community. But we cannot do it alone. We are asking our community to rally together to end hunger in the Lowcountry and help us reach our goal of 8,000 donated bags of groceries this month. There are four easy ways to give back; host a drive, donate financially, donate most needed items on May 13th, spread awareness,” explains Dekruif.
Check out blufftonselfhelp.org for more information and a list of the most needed items.
Bluffton Self Help is the Lowcountry’s leading community-centered organization, promoting independence and self-sufficiency through direct services, advocacy and alliances that eliminate economic vulnerability and improve the quality-of-life for all neighbors in need. Founded in 1987 by Mrs. Ida Martin, their goal is to help local neighbors in need of food, clothing, educational and financial assistance, as well as to provide programs that promote self-worth, dignity and create a pathway to personal success.
