Helping Hands of Myrtle Beach Needs a Hand
Myrtle Beach, S.C. has always been a city where community spirit shines bright. But lately, the local non-profit, Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach, is asking for a little extra kindness from its neighbors. They’re currently running low on food supplies, and this isn’t your typical pantry shortage. This time, it’s a direct result of their unyielding commitment to help others, especially those displaced by the recent hurricane.
Why Helping Hand is Running Low
After the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, Helping Hand shifted some of its resources to assist families in Western North Carolina who were hit hard by the storm. Items like green beans, diapers, and toothbrushes found new homes, but now they need support to replenish their own pantry. According to their pantry coordinator, the usual stream of walk-in donations has almost dried up. Last week, they didn’t get a single walk-in donation, which is quite unusual and alarming.
The Growing Need in Our Community
As of the start of September, Helping Hand found itself serving an increasing number of households in need—going from providing food for 486 households in June to a staggering 800 households now. Veterans, single mothers, and workers in the service industry have come through the doors, all affected by rising costs and previous hardships.
It’s heavy stuff, isn’t it? From the stories we’ve heard, it’s clear that every walk of life is represented at Helping Hand. The pantry is a lifeline for many struggling families and individuals. Seeing this community come together is crucial, especially when the demand is so high.
Community Responds
On a brighter note, when a recent call for help went out on social media, community members didn’t just scroll by. Local businesses and churches jumped into action! For instance, Crazy Mason donated an impressive 600 pounds of food in response to the call. And the generosity didn’t stop there; the next day, over 1,044 pounds poured in from other supporters!
The Ongoing Needs
Despite the warm community response, Helping Hand is still feeling the pinch. They are now providing over 35,000 pounds of food per month. Interestingly, even with their pantry stocked, it can all be gone within a week. The pressing need for canned meats like chicken, tuna, or spam, along with cereals, oatmeal, and grits is notable. But their biggest request is for fresh meat.
Here’s the challenge: because fresh meat is perishable, it can’t be donated directly. This means the non-profit has to purchase it, further straining their resources. Monetary donations are a huge help right now as they navigate this crunch.
How You Can Help
If you’re feeling touched by this story, and you want to help support our Myrtle Beach community, there are plenty of ways to get involved! You can donate food items, especially the ones mentioned above, or if you prefer, contribute through financial means to help purchase supplies. Every little bit helps, and no gesture is too small!
Conclusion
In a world where so many are facing hardships, it’s heartening to see the Myrtle Beach community step up to support one another. Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach really embodies that spirit, but they can’t do it alone. If you feel inspired, reach out, lend a hand, and let’s help our neighbors in need!
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
