News Summary
The Food Bank of the Lakelands has expanded its services to address rising food insecurity affecting working families. Executive Director Andrea White reported significant increases in usage of their lunch services, as families grapple with rising food prices. Since its rebranding, the food bank now serves residents from seven counties and aims to provide not just meals, but essential support, amidst the pressing challenges revealed by the 2023 ALICE Report.
GREENWOOD – The Food Bank of the Lakelands has expanded its services to combat rising food insecurity, particularly among working families who are increasingly relying on its offerings. Executive Director Andrea White reported that the food bank is seeing a surge in the number of families turning to its daily lunch services, primarily due to increasing food prices. In just the first quarter of 2025, the food bank served over 9,000 people across its newly expanded seven-county service area.
Originally established as the Food Bank of Greenwood County in 1983, the organization has rebranded itself to reflect its broader mission that now includes residents from Greenwood, Laurens, Edgefield, Abbeville, McCormick, Newberry, and Saluda counties. The food bank, which operates from a larger facility, aims to address growing community needs by offering not only meals but also pantry services that have become crucial for many full-time workers who still struggle to make ends meet.
Data from the 2023 ALICE Report has shed light on the challenges faced by those living in Greenwood County. The report highlighted that 51% of households in the area fall below the ALICE threshold, with 17% of families living in poverty. Families require nearly $65,000 annually to afford basic necessities, a significant sum that exceeds the federal poverty level. This stark reality has prompted the food bank to increase outreach efforts and build partnerships with organizations like the United Way to address gaps in access to food and essential services.
Under White’s leadership since 2021, the food bank has pivoted its focus towards the needs of working families who are often overlooked in traditional poverty programs. The nonprofit’s strategic plan for 2025-2028 includes initiatives aimed at broadening its eligibility for regional and national grants, which will support the continued expansion of its services.
The legacy of co-founder Barbara Jackson continues to guide the organization’s mission and direction. It emphasizes the importance of not only providing food but also offering dignity and emotional support to families who are facing hardships. In response to this broader goal, the food bank has initiated various programs, including the provision of recipes to help clients make the most of the food they receive. They are also exploring options for cooking classes and virtual recipe videos as part of their commitment to education and empowerment.
A key partner in these efforts is the GUMC Food Bank, which actively distributes food and resources to families in need, supporting the overarching mission of the Food Bank of the Lakelands. The combined efforts of these organizations highlight the community’s dedication to addressing the pressing issues of food insecurity and poverty.
As food prices continue to escalate and the number of families requiring assistance grows, the Food Bank of the Lakelands remains steadfast in its mission to provide nutritional support, essential services, and a helping hand to the members of the community who need it most.
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- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Security
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Author: HERE Greenwood
The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
