Food relief effort delivers supplies to Lowcountry pantries

A regional food relief effort is helping local nonprofits across the South Carolina Lowcountry and coastal Georgia meet growing demand for food assistance.

On May 1, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partnered with local organizations through JustServe to deliver nonperishable food items to community groups, including Bluffton Self Help and Blessing Boxes. Donations included rice, pears, peanut butter and beans.

According to organizers, the effort is a part of the church’s larger food assistance program that distributed more than 37 million pounds of food worldwide in 2025.

“Through this partnership, we’ve been able to bring in food trucks to statistically needy areas of coastal SC and GA,” said Rachael Tiede, communication director for the Savannah Stake. “The food truck enabled 17 nonprofits to receive 1,444 cases of food by early May.”

The assistance comes as food banks and nonprofit organizations across the region face increased demand. Organizers said South Carolina lost approximately 1.5 million pounds of federal food aid in 2025, creating additional strain for organizations serving Beaufort and Jasper counties.

“Local nonprofits are seeing firsthand the growing need in our communities,” said Sue Christiansen, a local JustServe specialist. “By working together, we can help ensure families have access to the food they need, even as resources fluctuate.”

Tiede said the effort also focused on helping smaller organizations that may face additional costs when obtaining supplies.

“After we delivered directly to a large Statesboro food bank in December, I wanted to also help the smaller organizations because sometimes they have to pay to get food,” she said. “I figured we could do the legwork to get food directly to the local groups.”

Volunteers coordinated deliveries and supported distribution efforts throughout the region.
Kate Mills, food pantry manager for The Deep Well Project, said the donations will support hundreds of residents on Hilton Head Island.

“Wow! We are so excited for this new connection,” Mills said. “These nonperishables are perfect for those in need, from hardworking, elderly, children, or disabled neighbors to our unsheltered friends. We provide food assistance each month to 800-900 people on Hilton Head Island so we are incredibly grateful for the support from JustServe.org.”

Tiede said community organizations welcomed the assistance.

“It is amazing to get to ask if they would like food,” she said. “These organizations do so much for our community and are thrilled to receive assistance.”

In addition to food donations, organizers said the partnership also supports programs focused on budgeting, nutrition education and long-term self-sufficiency.

“Our desire to help people become more self-reliant is rewarding,” Tiede said.

In a release, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said they plan to continue working with local food pantries and community organizations to provide assistance and strengthen local support networks.