HELP of Beaufort

Breaks Ground to Expand for the Community

photos by SK SIGNS, DESIGNS, & MARKETING

HELP of Beaufort has marked its soon-to-be 50-year mark, with a groundbreaking ceremony this past November on their lot at 1600 Ribaut Road in Port Royal. Being more than just a pantry, this community’s new building will offer larger pantry and clothing areas as well as a client Wellness Produce Garden, the first of its kind and much needed in the area. They will also be able to expand all current programs and add new ones in the near future. Last year, HELP assisted 11,370 clients with food between their in-house pantry, Mobile Pantry and Mobile Meals Programs, and this number is only expected to increase.

Purchasing their property last spring, HELP kicked off and is still running a building campaign. Community outreach started right away with Twingi Productions stepping in and offering their architectural services for free, working hand in hand with the Town of Port Royal and Brunson Construction. Still looking for companies to assist on this project, Brunson Construction welcomes local businesses to team up and get this build done with them … Built FOR the Community BY the Community.

Through fundraising efforts and the generosity of local businesses and donors, HELP has been able to secure funding to get through the first 2 phases of the build and needs community assistance with gathering the final monies to complete the build. HELP would like this to be a fully funded community project, so they do not have to obtain funding through a lender. By accomplishing this, more of the community’s future donations can go directly back to the needs of the community and not for paying interest on a loan.

The Wellness Produce Garden will not only be a source of food for the pantry, but it will also enable HELP to teach clients how to garden affordably at home, no matter where they live. Holding Cooking Matters classes through the Lowcountry Food Bank, they will be able to teach clients how to cook different foods and make affordable healthy meals for their families. HELP also hopes to be a resource for local school field trips, gardening events, and healthy eating education.

HELP is hosting its 3rd Annual Toy Drive this year, so our community neighbors can get through the hard economic times and enjoy the holidays with their children. This could not be accomplished without the 35+ businesses that assist with toy collections. Through their generosity, we can give families toys, clothing, shoes, and wrapping paper for their children.

If you would like to make a donation to HELP for their building campaign, assist in any of their
programs or volunteer, you can visit their website at www.helpofbeaufort.org