Staff reports | More than 180,000 people in South Carolina have applied for unemployment benefits since mid-March than filed in all of 2019. It’s a stark reminder, Charleston City Paper editor Sam Spence writes, of the crushing economic impact of physical distancing measures in South Carolina to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 infection.
Staff reports | The Rotary Club of Charleston marked the 100th anniversary of its formation with the Saturday dedication of a bronze sculpture display adorning the Rotary Fountain in Marion Square. As part of the celebration, club members also held a Saturday evening gala at the Francis Marion Hotel.
Staff reports | After the frenetic shopping and pace of Black Friday and CyberMonday, you might want to set aside a little something to give back to others on GivingTuesday, which is marked around the world as a day for generosity.
“GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good,” according to the organization’s website. “Over the past seven years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
“Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to give.”
In Charleston County, more than 200 organizations are taking part in the global giving effort.
Staff reports | The Lowcountry Food Bank has been awarded $120,000 in community investment grants for 2019-2022 from Trident United Way, the organization announced last week. The grants will help the nonprofit agency to conduct additional fresh produce distributions, implement nutrition education and provide child hunger relief to residents in the Charleston tri-county area.
Through the proposed Healthy Foods Initiative, the food bank is expected to achieve the following objectives through these grants in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties:
* Distribute more than 4.8 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables in the community through direct-to-client distributions to more than 102,000 low-income and food-insecure children, adults, and seniors;
* Conduct at least 175 farmers’ market-style fresh produce distributions annually in underserved, high-need communities;
* Provide more than 900 children each year with fresh fruits and vegetables …
IN THIS EDITION
FOCUS: Lowcountry Food Bank gets $120,000 in local grants to fight hunger
COMMENTARY, Brack: Houses of worship can lead way on racial healing
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: SCIWAY
GOOD NEWS: New aquatic center opens in time to beat summer heat
FEEDBACK: Send us your thoughts
MYSTERY PHOTO: Maybe the toughest yet
S.C. ENCYCLOPEDIA: Eight Box Law
CALENDAR: Author to discuss book on race in Reconstruction
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.
Staff reports | It’s already that time of the year again – time to enjoy the dazzling annual display at the Holiday Festival of Lights at James island County Park.
The 28th edition of the annual attraction opens Friday, Nov. 10, and will feature more than 700 bright, beautiful light displays of all shapes and sizes every night through Jan. 1, 2018. And starting Nov. 13, you can get $5 off the price of admission if you visit in the evenings from Mondays through Thursdays with a can of food for the Lowcountry Food Bank.
Staff reports | The city of Charleston will work to update its city-wide transportation plan starting Oct. 25 with a series of public input sessions designed to determine transportation needs throughout the community.
“Engaging our citizens is a critical first step as we work toward improving transportation city-wide,” said Charleston Director of Traffic and Transportation Keith Benjamin. “Their first-hand recommendations will help us to effectively define accessibility in Charleston, mitigate congestion and achieve a good balance of transportation alternatives throughout our city.”
Also in Good News: YESCarolina’s national winner; #4 minor league city; Ingevity and the Lowcountry Food Bank; Assessor’s Office; and eye health survey.
Staff reports | The Lowcountry Food Bank will get an $82,500 grant to support the food bank’s senior meals. It’s one of 12 grants awarded nationally by . The grant is one of twelve awarded by Feeding America, a national network of food banks, and is made possible by funding from the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation.
By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Summer’s bounty of everything from juicy red tomatoes to eggplants, squashes and corn fill farm stands and grocery stores across the state. At this time of year, you’ve never seen so much good fresh food.
But its availability belies a cold, hard fact: South Carolina is hungry despite decades of food assistance programs. But without them, things would be way, way worse.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina! (2019) by editor and publisher Andy Brack offers incisive commentaries on the American South, politics, the common good and interesting South Carolina leaders. Available exclusively for Kindle for $7.99. A paperback version will be ready soon. Learn more.
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