To The Editor:
I really love this time of year. There is a nip in the air, the leaves have changed color, and thoughts are turning to holiday dinner tables surrounded by family and friends.
Unfortunately, not everyone in Dillon County has that same access to healthy meals, not every day and certainly not during the holiday season. Every community in our state is home to families who face hunger. The statistics are startling – more than 500,000 of our friends and neighbors lack consistent access to high-quality meals, and 1 in 8 of those are children.
That’s why it’s important for Duke Energy to support the organizations who do the great work to fight hunger in Dillon County and across our state. Our hope is by shining a light on these efforts, these organizations will continue to receive the support they need to help reduce and hopefully one day eliminate hunger in our communities.
Beginning Nov. 1, Duke Energy will kick off a monthlong campaign to support organizations in South Carolina that address food insecurities and inequities across the state. Duke Energy’s monthlong initiative will provide nearly $400,000 to more than 60 feeding programs leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Duke Energy employees and retirees will also provide their time and talents volunteering with these and other organizations throughout the month to assist in packing and distributing food boxes, as well as providing sweat equity to other feeding programs in their neighborhoods.
We like to close out our campaign – which now in its third year has contributed more than $1 million to these efforts – by providing small “surcee” microgrants to small community organizations like Dillon County Council on Aging and Help for Veterans. If you grew up in South Carolina, you likely know that a “surcee” is a small and unexpected gift. As we wrap up our monthlong initiative and head into the holiday season, we hope these gifts will help support the great people who work so hard year-round to help keep our neighbors from going hungry.
These organizations do great work in Dillon County, but they can’t do it alone. I ask you to consider joining our employees and retirees and give back to these or other local food banks or soup kitchens during this time of year. It could be as simple as a couple hours of your time or even a monetary donation, but just know that anything you can contribute will make a difference. To find a community feeding partner near you, search online at SC211.org.
Lauren Baker
Duke Energy Government and Community Relations Manager