LOWCOUNTRY FOOD BANK INC
Feed.Advocate.Empower.
Learn how to support this organization
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
About the Lowcountry Food Bank: Feed. Advocate. Empower. The Lowcountry Food Bank serves the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina and distributed more than 39 million pounds of food and essential products in 2020. The Lowcountry Food Bank helps fight hunger by distributing food to nearly 300 partner agencies including soup kitchens, homeless shelters and emergency food pantries. The Lowcountry Food Bank advocates on behalf of those who experience hunger and helps empower people to make healthy and nutritious food choices. For more information go to http://www.lowcountryfoodbank.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
BackPack Buddies Program
The BackPack Buddies program helps to alleviate weekend hunger among more than 950 food-insecure children attending 12 schools in Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. Each Friday during the school year, the children receive backpacks containing 3 pounds of nutritious and kid-friendly food. A sample menu includes two whole grain cereals, two entrees (Chef Boyardee), three shelf-stable dairy items (2-1% milks and a pudding cup), one snack (granola bar), a canned vegetable and two fruit items (fruit cup and fruit strip). Volunteers assemble the packs of food for the children enrolled in the program to receive each week in their backpacks.
Cooking Matters
Cooking Matters at the Store empowers low-income and food-insecure families to stretch their food budgets so they can eat healthy meals. It also equips families with the skills they need to maximize the benefits they receive through public nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC which decreases their food insecurity. During the 1.5 hour-tour, participants learn four key food skills: reading food labels, comparing unit prices, finding whole grain foods and identifying three ways to purchase produce. The program ends with a $10 Challenge, where participants use the skills they have just learned to buy a healthy meal for a family of four, for under $10.
Fresh for All
In order to combat the lack of access that many children, adults and seniors have to healthy foods such as fresh produce, the LCFB conducts Fresh for All distributions. Each Fresh for All is set up to resemble a farmers' market with 8,000 pounds of fresh produce. At a Fresh for All, approximately 180 families (an estimated 580 individuals) are able to select approximately 40 pounds of fresh produce. A variety of produce is offered so families are able to choose the produce that their family will eat and the quantity that they need. Because clients may be unsure how to prepare some types of produce, recipes are available for the families to take home.
School Pantry
The School Pantry program alleviates the source of child hunger by distributing 20-pound boxes of shelf-stable, healthy foods (e.g., spaghetti sauce and whole grain pasta, tuna, macaroni, peanut butter, brown rice, and canned vegetables and fruit) to more than 400 food-insecure families of children attending 10 high-need schools in Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. These monthly food distributions take place at the schools and are scheduled, when possible, to coincide with school events providing a powerful means of increasing parental involvement in the educational process which ultimately improves a child’s chance of school success.
School Market
School Market A permanent pantry located in the school to provide students and families the opportunity to discretely select food items to take home. All School Markets are client choice, providing students and their families the opportunity to choose the food that best supports their needs
Summer Meals
Summer Meals
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) - Provides free nutritious meals to children and teens in eligible communities throughout the summer
19 summer camps and library programs across five counties in 2023
Kids Cafe
27 after-school sites during the school year
Fresh for Kids
Kid-friendly mini farmers markets
Where we work
Awards
Governor's Angel Award 2016
Governor's Angel Award
Affiliations & memberships
Feeding America - Affiliate 2022
Feeding the Carolinas - Affiliate 2022
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of meals served or provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth, Economically disadvantaged people, Veterans
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Metric is pounds distributed. In 2023, LCFB distributed 42.8 million pounds, providing for 35.6 mllion *meals. *1 meal = 1.2 lbs. of food (FA MPIN)
Number of meals delivered
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number of meals comes from 42.8 million pounds of food and personal products distributed in ten coastal counties of South Carolina.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The LCFB is committed to strategic growth that supports equitable access to nutritious food and the goal of fresh produce comprising 30% of the total food distributed. The LCFB strives not only to increase the amount and quality of food provided to our neighbors experiencing food insecurity but also to eliminate hunger in coastal South Carolina.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
PARTNER MEMBER AGENCIES
- Nearly 230 Lowcountry Food Bank partner agencies distribute food to neighbors who experience hunger and range from faith-based food pantries to on-site feeding programs (soup kitchens and residential facilities) to direct-service, non-profit organizations
- Agencies are responsible for 89% of total pounds of food distributed by LCFB
- Client Emergency Assistance Program - Provides emergency food assistance and referrals to partner agencies for clients who call or visit LCFB. Serves 150 households per month, pre-covid
- Wellness Pantry - Partner Pantries that support health and well-being of the people they serve through pantry set up training that encourages clients to choose a variety of healthy food items and provides instructions for pantry usage
PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES
SENIOR PROGRAMS:
- Senior Meals Through partnerships with East Cooper Meals on Wheels, East Cooper Meals on Wheels, Summerville Meals on Wheels, Help of Beaufort and others, we prepare and serve nutritious meals to seniors
- Senior Box Program (CSFP) USDA program that provides boxes of staple goods and produce to food insecure or homebound seniors and adults once a month
CHILDHOOD HUNGER PROGRAMS:
- Kids Cafe (CACFP) Creates supper meals and healthy snacks to food insecure children enrolled in afterschool programs
- Summer Meals Programs & Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Provides free nutritious meals to children and teens in eligible communities throughout the summer
- Mobile Meals Program - Provides meals to children in rural communities and brings food near where neighbors live
- BackPack Buddies - Provides children with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food to take home on weekends and school vacations
- School Pantry - Families are provided with a 20-pound box of staple food items to help stretch their monthly food budget
- School Market Provides students and families the opportunity to discretely select food items to take home from a permanent pantry located in the school
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Founded in 1983, the Lowcountry Food Bank's (LCFB) mission is to lead the fight against hunger in our community. The LCFB serves the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina (Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper and Williamsburg). The LCFB is the only major facility for both donated food and USDA feeding programs in the region. The LCFB has earned twelve consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator based on its financial health, efficiency, and capacity. Currently, 97% of the organization's charitable dollars are spent on direct programs and services.
ArcGIS Mapping Overview
The LCFB began using ArcGIS mapping technology in 2019 to better understand the needs of the communities we serve and to make strides toward a more equitable distribution of the food we provide. Using ArcGIS, we can import and overlay a wide range of data, allowing for in-depth analysis of our outputs and impact, as well as strategy development. Using food insecurity estimates provided by Feeding Americas annual Map the Meal Gap study and data from our inventory system, were able to pinpoint and prioritize areas of disproportionately high food insecurity and areas of low food access. We are also able to pull in data sets from other organizations, such as the US Census Bureau, HUD, USDA, and other state and local entities to help us to have a more holistic understanding of challenges facing our neighbors. We currently map a rolling four quarters worth of data and update the data on a quarterly basis. Updating our map on this interval allows us to have timely information at our fingertips, while also allowing us to see changes over time. Some of the layers currently included in our map are:
All Food Access Points (as they relate to the LCFB)
Mobile Pantry Sites
Grocery Store Locations
Drive Time Analysis - showing physical accessibility of food pantries
Meals Provided Per Person in Need (MPIN)
MPIN Relative to Strategic Goals
Areas with High Need and Low MPIN
MPIN Change Over 6 Months
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Our five-year strategic plan was adopted to significantly increase the amount and quality of food provided to food-insecure children, adults and seniors. The Covid-19 pandemic forced us to pivot while still meeting the increased and ever-growing needs in the communities we serve.
-Previous 5-year Strategic Plan concluded at the end of 2023
-Previous 5-year strategic plan period saw significant growth, progress, and achievements by the Lowcountry Food Bank
-Managed through an unprecedented and unimaginable global pandemic COVID 19
Lowcountry Food Bank has now moved from a 5-year strategic plan to a 3-year strategic framework
-From very detailed (objectives, tasks, timelines, persons responsible, etc.) to high level focus (who we are and where we are going)
-From Hard to adapt when uncertainty arises to nimble and flexible allowing adaptation when uncertainty arises
-Asset framed focus articulating a positive perspective
-Stakeholder engagement and ownership
-Single page/slide plan framework with work plans developed annually
2023 Overview:
- 42.8 million pounds of food and personal products distributed in ten coastal counties of SC
- Distributed 18 million lbs. of produce (42% of all food distributed, total 18,090,562 pounds)
- 35,690,928 meals provided
- 210,000 meals prepared through the Zucker Family Production Kitchen (prepared in our kitchen)
- Distributed 247 meals per person in need in coastal SC
- Rescued and distributed 15 million pounds of edible food from retailers that would otherwise go to waste
- More than 250,000 individuals served
- Nearly 50% of the people served by LCFB are children and seniors
- 96% of our charitable dollars are spent on direct programs and services
- 4-star rating from Charity Navigator based on financial health, efficiency and capacity
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
LOWCOUNTRY FOOD BANK INC
Board of directorsas of 03/05/2024
Rich White
Ingevity, President, Performance Chemicals
Term: 2027 - 2024
Dr. Dr. Kimberly Butler Willis Butler Willis
GOODSTOCK Consulting, LLC, Managing Director
Term: 2024 - 2027
Lindsey Douglas
The Boeing Company
Dr. Diana Ross-Jackson
Charleston County School District, retired
Maria Mungo
Community Partner & Food Blogger
Rev. Dr. Byron Benton
Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church
Erica Taylor
Assistant Superintendant, Orangeburg County School District
Chris Beeker
Harris Teeter, District Manager
Dr. Kimberly Butler Willis
GOODSTOCK Consulting, LLC, Managing Director
Jim Chilton
Ashcraft & Gerel, LLP, CFO
Mark Crocker
Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP, Partner (Retired)
Victoria Smalls
Executive Director, Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor
Stacy Starling
Director of Engineering, Blackbaud
Rich White
Ingevity
Elizabeth Starr Gephart (Pooh)
Community Partner and Volunteer
Steve Gruidl
ealed Air Corporation, Vice President of Sales, North America, West
Kelly Hosack
SGA|NW, Managing Director
Kenric Rivers
Food Lion, Director of Operations
Kevin Rourk
South State Bank, Sr VP
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 03/20/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.