The vision of FoodShare South Carolina is for all who live in our state to have access to healthy, fresh produce in their communities. FoodShare South Carolina, an organization based at the USC School of Medicine, has grown over the past ten years to build a network of volunteers, paid staff, and partnerships with community leaders who provide distribution sites for its Fresh Food Box of fruits and vegetables.
The Fresh Food Box, compiled by FoodShare South Carolina every week, is available for purchase to anyone who wants to participate in the program, including individuals and families who receive SNAP benefits, by signing up on its website.
FoodShare South Carolina’s mission is to increase access to, knowledge of, and consumption of vegetables and fruit through community-led projects.
Along with all nonprofit and charity services that meet the needs of those who experience food insecurity in this nation, FoodShare South Carolina will be directly impacted by the effect the United States government shutdown has had on those who receive SNAP benefits.
According to Gordon Schell, FoodShare South Carolina director of marketing and digital strategies, “The current government shutdown and unknown future of SNAP benefits has greatly jeopardized South Carolinians’ ability to access food. The removal or reduction of SNAP funding will put a strain on food banks and food pantries that will be very difficult, if not impossible, to manage as demand for food increases.
“FoodShare’s Fresh Food Box program will see a different impact from the shutdown. As SNAP funds become unavailable, the cost of a box will increase for those who currently use SNAP to purchase it. Those who purchase boxes using SNAP benefits are able to utilize the Healthy Bucks Program administered by South Carolina Department of Social Services. Fresh Food Boxes cost $20 if paid for with cash, but anyone using SNAP can purchase the box for only $5. The other $15 is paid for from the Healthy Bucks fund.”
As a result of FoodShare South Carolina’s partnership with the SNAP benefit program in South Carolina, 38 percent of FoodShare Fresh Food Boxes have been purchased using SNAP/EBT and 41 percent of FoodShare program participants purchase Fresh Food Boxes with SNAP/EBT to date in 2025.
According to Schell, “The loss of SNAP funds will create a hardship for over 250,000 households across South Carolina, including 23,000 households in Richland County and 12,000 households in Lexington County. Each of these Richland and Lexington households will lose an average of $411/month in assistance if funds are not fully restored.”
He continues, “FoodShare is grateful to hear Governor Henry McMaster has announced the activation of the Central Carolina Community Foundation’s One SC Fund to provide direct monetary assistance to food banks and other feeding partners across the state.”
To help those dependent on SNAP benefits for their source of food and nutrition:
•Make financial donations or donations of nonperishable food to local food banks and food pantries. Harvest Hope has a list of items that are most in need on its website www.harvesthope.org/getinvolved/donate-food.
•Donate to the One SC Fund. This fund is actively accepting donations and making grants to help in every county of SC. cccfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6445
If you or someone you know is an individual or family in need, call 211 for assistance in your area. Calling 211 connects individuals to a free, confidential, 24/7 service that provides information and referrals to local health and human services. It is a non-emergency number that can help with needs like housing, food, utilities, and mental health support.
Learn more about FoodShare South Carolina at www.foodsharesc.org.
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