By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon County Council passed a resolution at their last meeting “to congratulate Harvest Hope Food Bank for its work to bring awareness to the issue of hunger in South Carolina and to recognize Hunger Awareness and Action Month.”
Dillon County Council Chairman T.F. “Buzzy” Finklea Jr., said Harvest Hope had done a wonderful job in Dillon County and fed thousands. Upon a motion by Councilman Archie Scott, the council voted unanimously to approve the resolution.
The resolution reads as follows:

DILLON COUNTY
COUNCIL RESOLUTION
TO CONGRATULATE HARVEST HOPE FOOD BANK FOR ITS WORK TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE ISSUE OF HUNGER IN THE SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO RECOGNIZE “HUNGER AWARENESS AND ACTION MONTH”
WHEREAS, the month of September has been designated as “Hunger Awareness and Action Month” in order to provide a unified opportunity for communities in South Carolina to focus attention on the persistent problem of domestic hunger and to mobilize to create a movement to help end hunger in our state; and
WHEREAS, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, 14.1 percent of South Carolina households were food insecure; and
WHEREAS, according to a study published by Feeding America, in 2013, 814,560 South Carolinians, including 7,400 residents of Dillon County did not always know where they would find their next meal; and
WHEREAS, hunger is a reality for 17.1 percent of South Carolinians and 23.4 percent of residents of Dillon County; and
WHEREAS, many households in South Carolina experience hunger, and some people in these households frequently skip meals or eat too little, sometimes going without food for an entire day; and
WHEREAS, research shows that preschool and school-age children who experience severe hunger have higher levels of chronic illness, anxiety and depression, and behavioral problems than children receiving a well-balanced diet; and
WHEREAS, food insecure seniors have lower nutrient intakes than food secure seniors, and without proper nutrients, seniors are at increased risk of disability, deteriorated health conditions, decreased resistance to infections, lengthened hospital stays, deteriorated mental health, and being underweight; and
WHEREAS, the costs of other essentials, such as home heating, gasoline, housing, and medical care, have increased significantly, and for families caught in the squeeze between declining wages and rising costs, the food budget becomes a frequent pressure point; and
WHEREAS, utilization of emergency food assistance becomes a way for these individuals and families to keep food on the table while still paying the bills; and
WHEREAS, individuals, charities, businesses, and government all have a role to play in getting food to those in need; and
WHEREAS, food banks (including Harvest Hope Food Bank), soup kitchens, food pantries, faith-based organizations, businesses, and individuals are donating time, raising funds and giving food to help their neighbors; and
WHEREAS, Harvest Hope Food Bank, as a member of Feeding America, provides guidance, support and vital food resources to almost six hundred agencies in its twenty county service area, including 7 agencies in DILLON COUNTY and for every dollar of support, providing an average of five (5) meals, plus each hour of volunteer time saves taxpayers $25.00; and
WHEREAS, Harvest Hope Food Bank, provided services to 14,475 families and 37,490 individuals in DILLON COUNTY in the most recently completed fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, individuals benefiting from the availability of donated food range from infants and toddlers, school-age children and adolescents to single mothers, single fathers, two-parent families, veterans and their families, and seniors.
NOW, THEREFORE,
E IT RESOLVED by the Dillon County Council:
THAT the members of Council, by this resolution, congratulate Harvest Hope Food Bank for its work to bring awareness to the issue of hunger in South Carolina and to recognize September as “Hunger Awareness and Action Month” in Dillon County, South Carolina.
—Dillon County Council