Amazon Donation Puts Meals on South Carolina Tables

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Columbia, S.C. (WOLO)– “Just in Richland County alone it is almost 18% of the population is going through the month with some period of time not knowing where their next meal will come from,” says Harvest Hope CEO Denise Holland. Harvest Hope staff members say that South Carolina’s hunger crisis soars to new levels during the summer months. According to Holland, “School is out, so families are having a much more difficult time to provide for the food that they need because their children are not getting food at school.” The increased need makes donations that much more essential, which is why the food bank is especially appreciative of Amazon’s recent contribution of $10,000 “We’re providing three meals for at least a couple of weeks. This is a very difficult time for us and we are providing for about 70,000 plus families per month,” says Holland. The Harvest Hope CEO says that every dollar donated provides five meals for hungry families in the community. George Schultz, Director of Operations for Amazon Columbia says, “It’s an impressive operation they’re really running a supply chain feeding the hungry.” South Carolina Amazon employees voted to donate the money to local hunger relief, hoping to aid in the hunger crisis. “What we hope to do, is through the donation effect as many of the hungry in the Carolinas as possible, specifically in the Columbia market. It’s important to us to serve and support the area in which we work,” says Schultz. The Food Bank is hopeful that this is just the beginning of its relationship with Amazon. Holland says, “I’m hoping that we can partner with Amazon in a number of ways. We can use their expertise and certainly donations to help us succeed.” With the support of community members and partners such as Amazon, the food bank can continue to lessen the hunger epidemic.