Second Helpings adds truck to Lowcountry food rescue operation
A new refrigerated truck has joined the Second Helpings fleet, adding another vehicle to an operation that moves millions of pounds of rescued food each year throughout Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties.
Second Helpings marked the addition of Truck No. 17 with a community ribbon cutting Sept. 30 at Sam’s Club in Bluffton. Donors, volunteers and community partners were invited to attend and sign the inside of the truck before it entered service.
The nonprofit uses refrigerated trucks to collect surplus food from grocery stores, retailers, farms and other donors. The food is then delivered at no charge to food pantries and nonprofit agencies serving people throughout the three-county area.
Second Helpings operates a fleet of 10 refrigerated trucks that collectively travel more than 90,000 miles a year. The organization estimates each truck helps rescue and distribute about 300,000 pounds of food annually.
17 is expected to remain in service for about 10 years. Based on the organization’s current averages, Second Helpings estimates the vehicle could transport more than 3 million pounds of food during that period.
The refrigeration system allows the organization to transport perishable foods, including fresh produce, dairy products and proteins, to its partner agencies.
Volunteers play a central role in the operation. Second Helpings says its team includes more than 500 volunteers who drive trucks, collect food and make deliveries.
that might otherwise go to waste with an organization that provides it to those who need it,” Executive Director Amy Colin said. “Truck #17 will be doing that work for years to come, and we are incredibly grateful to the donors and partners whose generosity made that possible.”
Second Helpings reported that its food distribution currently helps serve more than 14,000 people each week. Since the organization was founded in 1992, it says it has rescued and distributed more than 59 million pounds of food.
In 2025, Second Helpings reported that 520 volunteers distributed 3.7 million pounds of food to 55 agencies in Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties at no charge.
The organization collects food that might otherwise be discarded and distributes it through partner agencies serving Lowcountry residents.
For more information about Second Helpings, visit www.secondhelpingslc.org or call 843-689-3689.
