52 step up to Feed the Need

A coalition of 52 restaurants, caterers, hoteliers and culinary schools will take weekly turns feeding the Lowcountry's hungry in a new effort being announced Wednesday.

Charleston Chefs Feed the Need is the brainchild of Charleston Grill General Manager Mickey Bakst, who has been developing the initiative since December. The plan is for participating restaurants or entities to prepare meals for a different soup kitchen or food provider one day a week.

Four nonprofit agencies will be the conduits: Crisis Ministries, Tricounty Family Ministries, East Cooper Meals on Wheels and Neighborhood House.

Bakst said today he hopes 400 meals a week will be served, or 20,000 plus in the first year.

The announcement will be at noon at the Riviera Theatre, 225 King St.