New Interactive Map Launched to Help People in Need Find Free Food in Charleston County

CHARLESTON, SC, June 5, 2020: The Lowcountry Food Bank, in partnership with the College of Charleston’s Riley Center for Livable Communities and the city of Charleston announced a new online, interactive Charleston Free Food Finder Map. The new map helps people in need find free food in Charleston County.

People trying to find nearby food pantries can go to https://bit.ly/chs-food-resources and type in their location. A list of food resources with available times and days for sites closest to them will be provided. Designed to work either from a mobile device or computer, the website includes three types of food distribution sites located in Charleston County: Lowcountry Food Bank partner agency sites, Charleston County School District Sites, and additional food resource sites.

Because of the growing demand for food assistance, along with volatility in food sourcing by food banks and pantries during the COVID-19 pandemic, the website will be regularly updated as new information becomes available.

The need for a Charleston Free Food Finder Map is greater than ever due to the number of people seeking food assistance for the first time. Complexities of food distribution in the current environment and a lack of volunteers has caused almost 15 percent of food pantries in Charleston County to close since mid-March. Yet, according to Lowcountry Food Bank data, the demand for emergency or supplemental food has grown dramatically in the last few months.

The overall goal of the new food finder mapping tool is to help our neighbors in need find nutritious food and essential supplies for themselves and their families, especially during the coronavirus pandemic and resulting unemployment and economic disruption.

Use of the Charleston Free Food Finder is free of charge and provided through grant support from the Lowcountry Food Bank, College of Charleston’s Riley Center and the City of Charleston.

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For additional information, contact:
Jill Hirsekorn, Director of Communications, Lowcountry Food Bank,
843-747-8146 ext. 167 or jhirsekorn@lcfbank.org

Robert Kahle, Ph.D. Associate Director of the Riley Center,
843.297.5652 or kahlerw@cofc.edu

Jack O’Toole, Director of Communications, City of Charleston, Media Relations/Public Information, 843.518-3228 otoolej@charleston-sc.gov

About the Lowcountry Food Bank: Feed. Advocate. Empower.
The Lowcountry Food Bank serves the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina and distributed more than 32 million pounds of food in 2019. The Lowcountry Food Bank helps fight hunger by distributing food to nearly 300 partner agencies including soup kitchens, homeless shelters and emergency food pantries. The Lowcountry Food Bank advocates on behalf of those who experience hunger and helps empower people to make healthy and nutritious food choices.