Food drive slated for hungry in 20 SC counties

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Volunteers are handing out bags to shoppers at about 45 grocery stores in Columbia and Lexington in the hope that the items purchased will feed the hungry in central South Carolina.

Saturday’s “Food from the Heart” effort is sponsored by Harvest Hope Food Bank with volunteers from Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia and Northside Baptist Church in nearby Lexington.

Organizers say they hope shoppers will fill the special red grocery bags with more than 60 tons of food. Harvest Hope will distribute the items at local food pantries and soup kitchens in 20 counties.

Organizers are looking for rice, beans, stuffing, dry potatoes and milk, cereals, diapers, canned fruits and vegetables. They also welcome soup, pasta and sauces, baby food in shrink-wrapped packages and baby formula.