You don’t need me to tell you how easy it is to get caught up in the rapture of the holiday season. It is, after all, the most wonderful time of the year. That does not mean for one second, however, that this sentiment is equal across the board.
For a lot of people, this is the most difficult, anxiety-riddled time of the year, and it has nothing to do with having to sit across from a politically polar-opposite relative, listening to them riff about things you fundamentally oppose.
I’m talking about the people who, no matter how hard they try, struggle to make ends meet on a regular basis. The thought of holiday cheer and trying to make their children happy is a hand-wringing nightmare for a lot of parents out there.
Full disclosure, I witnessed this myself growing up. I watched a single mom work a seasonal third job for many years to make sure my sister and I had what we wanted from Santa. Oh, the stories I could share. Suffice it to say my mom worked the layaway system at Kmart and Service Merchandise like few could.
Remember that?
All of that is largely the reason why I always try to remember the groups out there who help connect some dots for families not only this time of the year, but year-round. All of them, I’m sure, see a rise in donations at the holidays, but we’ve seen some reports of requests for holiday assistance ticking up as well.
For that reason, I’m compelled to share a list of some local noonprofits, including food banks, that serve our neighbors in need. The hope is that maybe you will feel compelled to drop off a donation to one or more of them in this higher time of need.
Bluffton Self Help:
For nearly 40 years, Bluffton Self Help has been providing basic needs and financial support to their community. Founded in 1987 by Ida Martin, the organization’s roots are in serving the generationally impoverished; however, they say their future is in supporting families who are economically at-risk. (843) 757-8000
Church of the Cross Food Bank:
Since 2001, the Church of the Cross Food Bank has provided basic food needs to neighbors in need. Every Monday, volunteers prepare bags of donated and purchased canned goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, and sometimes dessert to distribute to anyone in the drive-through line outside God’s Goods Thrift Store in Bluffton (also a ministry of Church of the Cross; see listing below.) (843) 757-2661
Deep Well Project:
A predominantly volunteer-based nonprofit, with a minimum of paid staff, The Deep Well Project has been helping neighbors in need since 1973. The organization was founded by Charlotte Heinrichs as a service to the local community that suffered illness as a result of drinking contaminated water from shallow wells. Deep Well also offers food, housing, children’s programming, and much more to the area. (843) 785-2849
God’s Goods:
God’s Goods is a Christ-centered thrift store that provides usable goods to the people of our community at a reasonable price, assists people in need with pass-through goods, and supports Christian outreach ministries. All donated merchandise is examined and tested before it is offered for sale. (843) 757-2024
Sandlewood Food Pantry:
Established in 2009, the Sandalwood Community Food Pantry serves the hungry and the needy on Hilton Head Island, helping families make ends meet by supplementing their groceries with a food market on Tuesday mornings. Volunteers provide food, love, dignity, and spiritual guidance. (843) 715-3583
Second Helpings:
Founded in 1992, Second Helpings is a food rescue and distribution organization dedicated to providing food to the hungry while eliminating food waste. They collect and distribute more than 3 million pounds of food annually – 3.4 million pounds in 2023. The organization provided the equivalent of 2.8 million meals to 54 area food pantries, soup kitchens, and family and senior programs. (843) 689-3689
St. Andrew-By-The-Sea Soup Kitchen:
This soup kitchen ministry started in 2011 to provide Friday lunches to the homeless, hungry, unemployed, and working poor from their church neighborhood “with dignity, compassion and lots of love.” The Harvest Table of fresh produce became a larger food pantry, nearly doubling in size since 2018. (843) 785-4711
United Way of the Lowcountry:
Awarding grants to local nonprofit organizations through its Community Impact Fund is just one strategy United Way uses to empower individuals and promote self-sufficiency to create a brighter future for the residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties. The organization currently support 33 programs at 22 area nonprofits. (843) 982-3040
