GOOD NEWS: Food bank distributing food to furloughed federal workers

GOOD NEWS: Food bank distributing food to furloughed federal workers

Staff reports  |  The Lowcountry Food Bank is is making food distributions for federal employees who are furloughed or who are working as essential employees but not getting currently paid and in need of food. The food bank has worked closely with the Federal Executive Association (FEA) of the Greater Charleston Area to help coordinated efforts, according to a press release.

The food bank is preparing shelf-stable food boxes, which it plans to distribute to three of its partner food pantries. Federal workers are encouraged to visit the pantries listed below, or the Lowcountry Food Bank located at 2864 Azalea Drive, North Charleston, SC 29405 to obtain shutdown relief boxes:

• East Cooper Community Outreach: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., (843) 849-9220; 1145 Six Mile Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
• Cathedral of Praise Bread Basket: Monday to Friday, 9:45 a.m. to noon, (843) 760-6116; 3790 Ashley Phosphate Rd, North Charleston, SC 29418
• Helping Hands of Goose Creek: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (843)533-7132; 104 B Commerce Place, Goose Creek, SC 29455.

“We are already seeing an increase in demand for food assistance from families and individuals who are experiencing hardship due to the shutdown,” said Pat Walker, Lowcountry Food Bank President and CEO. “We anticipate further need as furloughed federal employees and contractors go without paychecks. Our 10-county coastal South Carolina service area includes at least 10,000 federal workers. We want to fill the gap as best we can to help our public servants during this difficult time.”

According to the FEA, there are over 13 federal agencies in Charleston whose employees have been affected by the partial government shutdown. “The FEA is very appreciative of the community’s concern and care for our impacted federal workers who are experiencing this difficult situation,” said Glenn Jeffries, FEA Civilian Chairman. “It means so much to have the support of the community in which we serve.”

The Lowcountry Food Bank is also accepting monetary donations that will be specifically designated to help federal workers fight hunger during the partial government shutdown. A dedicated web page has been created on the Lowcountry Food Bank website. Click here make a financial donation.

“Our normal operations continue, but any reduction in access to food resources undermines decades of progress around fighting hunger,” Walker said. “This partial government shutdown increases hardship for people in our community and takes valuable resources away from the underemployed and the unemployed who depend on the SNAP program. We need continuing support from our community, our donors and our food pantry partners to ensure we can properly assist people who are struggling with hunger in coastal South Carolina.”

In other Good News:

Park closed for renovations.  Kiawah Beachwalker Park is temporarily closed to all visitors (including pedestrians) through early April so that the park can undergo extensive renovations and construction. Renovations include replacement of the boardwalk from the parking lot to the existing showers; replacement of the showers and changing rooms; addition of new ADA-compliant parking spaces and paved access pathway to the boardwalk and replacement of the gatehouse and traffic improvements to the entry of the park.

Good place to work.  The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has been ranked No. 13 out of 500 organizations on the Forbes 2019 list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity. In addition, MUSC ranked No. 3 among the 30 institutions listed in the education category.  “There are three reasons why embracing diversity and inclusion is of pivotal importance,” said MUSC President David J. Cole. “First, it is who we should be as an institution. It has to be part of our vision and self-definition. Second, it is how we build upon who we are and what we can achieve together. Third, it affects the bottom line. It is about being our most productive and effective. People who feel valued are empowered to contribute and to be at their best.”

Rapid transit workshops.  he Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments will hold three interactive, public community workshops Jan. 29 to Jan. 31 in Charleston, Summerville and North Charleston to kick off the next phase of the Lowcountry Rapid Transit project. These meetings will be an opportunity to receive an update on the project and weigh in on the vision for the system.

• Charleston workshop:  6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Jan. 29, International Longshoremen’s Association Building – Community Hall, 1142 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
• Summerville workshop: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Jan. 30, Alston-Bailey Elementary School. 820 W 5th North St., Summerville, SC 29483
• North Charleston workshop:  6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Jan. 31, The College Center at Trident Tech,  7000 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29406

The proposed 23-mile Lowcountry Rapid Transit project along Highway 52 (Rivers Avenue) and Highway 78 will provide improved mobility among key regional corridors and a more direct connection for the traveling public. It will also promote the unification and redevelopment of existing communities. Crossing multiple jurisdictions, the proposed project will require significant outreach and coordination with agencies and the public due to its complexity, as well as the cultural and historic nature of the proposed corridor/alignment. Early and robust engagement will be critical to its success. This first phase of project planning will examine and refine alignments by conducting detailed environmental studies, completing conceptual engineering design work, evaluating alternatives for station and terminal state and end-point locations, and soliciting input from regional stakeholders, the local community, and public agencies.

• For more information on the project, visit the project website at www.lowcountryrapidtransit.com.
  

Development in flood areas.  While development continues in South Carolina’s floodplains (not good), sister publication correspondent Lindsay Street of Statehouse Report says work is being done at state and Charleston levels to instill some common sense in future development.  Read more here.