Bi-Lo shoppers help stock ECCO Charities pantry

  • Jessica Johnson
  • Posted: Thursday, August 5, 2010 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Friday, March 23, 2012 2:28 p.m.
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Sandra Brandl, East Cooper Community Outreach case manager, said the organization's food pantry runs low in summer months when families aren't able to rely on school food programs.
Jessica Johnson /The Post and CourierSandra Brandl, East Cooper Community Outreach case manager, said the organization's food pantry runs low in summer months when families aren't able to rely on school food programs.

Bi-Lo Charities runs a Summer Hunger Program for food pantries every year, but a July 29 food collection effort couldn't have come at a better time for one organization.

East Cooper Community Outreach case manager Sandra Brandl said donations to the organization's food pantry have been down overall.

"It's the barest I've seen the shelves in the warehouse," Brandl said.

In the Summer Hunger Program, Bi-Lo shoppers are asked to buy a box of prepackaged food for $5. All boxes purchased in Mount Pleasant stores chose to give their boxes to East Cooper Community Outreach, an ecumenical organization that provides emergency assistance to families in need with food, clothing and other items.

Community Outreach volunteers waited in the entrance of the grocery store where shoppers could pick up $5 certificates in order to purchase a box before leaving the store.

Volunteers hoped to fill their donation truck by the day's end. Bi-Lo Charities planned to run the program through Aug. 24. The boxes would supplement food donations that clients pick up at the pantry.

According to information from Bi-Lo Charities, the boxes are filled with the items food pantries request most: dry pasta, cheese, tuna and beans. Each box provides three meals.

Summer months are typically the hardest for food pantries because families can't rely on school lunch and breakfast programs.

Some Bi-Lo customers shopping on July 29 chose to purchase a bag full of groceries on their own and others said that they give food through their churches, Brandl said.

East Cooper Community Outreach's warehouse is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays for donations only.

The organization needs bed sheets, towels and clothes hangers.

The list of dry goods needed includes: pasta, peanut butter, spam, cake mix, instant potatoes, canned pineapple, grits, hot chocolate, hash, toothpaste, shampoo, Jell-O, mayo, pet food and Hamburger Helper.

Reach Jessica Johnson at 937-5921 or jjohnson@postandcourier.com.