On Saturday, February 20th, the Lowcountry Action Committee (LAC), in partnership with the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture and the Eastside Community Development Corporation (ECDC), distributed over 1,500 pounds of food to community members as part of LAC's ongoing Food For Thought “freedom bag” initiative.
February's event was sponsored entirely by the Avery Research Center. LAC team members set up several tables outside the building at 125 Bull Street, creating a socially-distanced assembly line for bag compilation. Volunteers stuffed bags with fresh collard greens and cabbage from Joseph Fields Farm, staple pantry items, including soap bars from Old Whaling Co., and PPE. In addition to sponsoring the groceries, Avery also provided storage space, reusable grocery bags for distribution and educational literature, including copies of The State of Racial Disparities in Charleston County, South Carolina 2000-2015 and the most recent addition of The Avery Messenger.
February’s “Food for Thought” event was also completely contact-less, featuring direct drop-offs to community members who signed up via this online form. Volunteers at ECDC also helped to deliver bags, while also providing hot meals to residents on the Eastside. There was also an option available for curbside pickup of freedom bags at ECDC.
The freedom bags, as well as all delivery and pickup options, were completely free to the Eastside community, and other community members who requested bags from the surrounding areas. This initiative is largely possible in part to donations contributed towards the LAC's Eastside Community Support Fund on GoFundMe and sponsorships from organizations such as the Avery Research Center.
Eastside community members and families who would like a grocery bag can sign up here or contact the group via phone at (843) 608-8306 or online at www.lctakesaction.com.
