Food Banks & Groups that Feed the Hungry in Spartanburg

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Do you sometimes wonder if there is anything you personally can do to help those in need right in Spartanburg? Or maybe you know some kids who would benefit from a free breakfast and lunch program in Spartanburg over the summer? We’ve put together this list of local organizations helping out in Spartanburg – organizations that need your help too!

Did you know that Spartanburg county has the highest occurrence of food insecurity in the entire state?

Whether your family includes some of the over 40,000 people in Spartanburg who don’t know where their next meal is coming from, or your family would like to find out easy (and fun) ways to help, we’ve got the info you’ll need. You’ll also find information on free breakfast and lunch programs for kids this summer in Spartanburg!

Did you know your food stamp benefits get doubled at the Hub-City Farmers Market? Read one local mom’s review of the market.

One Life Resource

We’re introducing you to a young man who was inspired to start a food pantry, a creative way your entire family can help feed the hungry, plus info about local food pantries working to feed our hungry neighbors in Spartanburg.

Kolby Cox, is a thirteen-year-old Boiling Springs teen just like most his age. He loves video games and his phone, but the thing that sets him apart from most is what he’s doing to help his community.

After an encounter with a homeless man who explained he was living under some bushes with five other people, Kolby was inspired to do something to help those in need. With the help of a friend who owns a deli in Chesnee, the first of the pop-up food pantries was born.

Kolby says, “Seeing how helpful that pantry is to people in need was inspiring.”

When asked what advice he had for other children who are inspired and might want to do the same in their community, Kolby had this to say “Keep trying and don’t give up.”

Current Locations:

Rob’s Deli
310 S. Alabama Avenue
Chesnee, SC 29323

Boiling Springs Fire Dept.
186 Rainbow Lake Road, Boiling Springs, SC 29316

Lake Bowen Baptist Church
404 Sugar Ridge Road, Inman, SC 29349
Opened 4th Saturday of each month from 8 am – 12 pm

help feed the hungry in Spartanburg

Harvest of Hope

The local chapter of Harvest of Hope partners with over 100 churches and other organizations in the upstate to combat hunger. If you’ve ever participated in the “Disney on Ice” can food drive that gives free tickets to the show in exchange for canned food donations in the fall, that was Harvest of Hope.

A quick search by zip code can offer a family in need at dozens of locations that offer assistance.

School Food Service Program

UPDATE:
All students enrolled in the Upstate public school system (Greenville & Spartanburg) will receive FREE breakfast and lunch every day, thanks to the extension of the “Seamless Summer” program through the USDA.  The districts received official approval from the South Carolina Department of Education in October. They will continue serving the free meals to students through December 31, 2020, or until congressional funding for the program runs out. School districts will not charge any student’s meal account as long as this program remains in effect.

For more information on the extension of the Summer Food Program in your school district see our Where To Find Meal Assistance for Your Child article.

The annual Summer Food Service Program, part of a national initiative to address childhood food insecurity by making sure children who take part in the free lunch program during the school year continue to have access to nutritious meals during the summer. Not just low-income children are included. Any child (18 and under) living in a district near a title 1 school is eligible for the program. Info for the locations near you can be obtained by texting the word FOOD to 877-877 or by calling 1-866-3-HUNGRY.

Ten At The Top Upstate Food Access Map

Ten At The Top created this interactive map, providing the locations of places where people can receive assistance during the summer. The locations list not only food bank locations, but places where you can receive non-food type help as well.

How does your family help those in need in our community?
Did We miss a place offering assistance this summer? Let us know in the comments.

About the Author
Melanie is a native New Yorker, who landed in the Upstate by way of Florida. She is the mom of two awesome kids, and the three of them love going on adventures!

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4 years ago

The Upstate Family Resource Center in Boiling Springs,SC has been assisting families with food, financial and other needs since 2007. Visit http://www.upstatefrc.org for more.

Marsha Jameson
3 years ago

What are your thoughts on organizing donations of canned goods and water for homeless people in Eastside Spartanburg? Does anyone have any ideas of how to go about organizing a donation center for food/water for homeless and those in need?. I’ve seen on the news places have been giving out grocery bags of useful items in a type of drive through service in a large parking lot. I also thought maybe Goodwill or Brown Roof might be willing to accept these types of donations and possibly set something up outside for people to come by and get? I guess many… Read more »

Christine
1 year ago

Miracle Hill Ministries