Kenya talks about the challenges her family faced during the government shutdown. For Kenya, every day begins the same way. Before sunrise, before quiet gives way to the sound of little feet. There’s breakfast to make, bottles to prepare, clothes to lay out. With one child in school, a baby on her hip, and another on the way, mornings in her Lincoln County home are full of motion and love. But lately, that love has been stretched thin. When the government shutdown interrupted SNAP benefits, Kenya felt the fear rise immediately. “I was looking at the pantry [...]

When the shutdown created uncertainty around essential supports for millions of Americans, one message echoed across the nation: “Go to your local food bank for help." From hurricanes to the pandemic, our team has learned how to respond quickly when crisis hits. This time was no different. Within days of the announcement, food orders were doubled, an emergency distribution plan was activated, and fourteen truckloads of food were routed to our warehouses in Augusta and Aiken. Partner fees were lifted to ensure our hunger relief network could move food freely to families in need. Views on our [...]

Left to Right: Debbie Johnson (Volunteer), Logan Ford (Director of ACTS), Linda McCollum (Volunteer) At ACTS of Aiken (Area Churches Together Serving), compassion looks like action. For 39 years, this network of more than 70 churches has been a cornerstone of care, meeting essential needs through food, clothing, transportation, and emergency assistance. But when the government shutdown disrupted SNAP benefits this fall, ACTS faced a new challenge as families who had never needed help before were suddenly at their door. “We started getting calls and emails even before the shutdown began,” said Logan Ford, Executive Director of [...]

This year, our community came together with extraordinary generosity to make It’s Spooky to Be Hungry® one of the most impactful campaigns in its 33-year history. From businesses and schools to churches, families, and first-time donors, our neighbors showed what is possible when we act together. A Transformational $1 Million Gift Golden Harvest Food Bank is honored to announce a transformational one million dollar gift from Rob and Pam Johnston that will strengthen and expand the impact of It’s Spooky to Be Hungry® over the next decade. The Johnstons have long been champions of the Aiken community and have [...]

Calvin reflects on the lasting impact the Summer Harvest program has had on his family during the summer months. At a recent food distribution at Thomson High School, Calvin and his 12-year-old daughter shared how much receiving food support through Golden Harvest's Summer Harvest program means to them during the summer months. “This helps a lot,” Calvin said. “It fills the cabinets with real food we can use. We don’t have to stress as much about how to stretch what we’ve got.” During the school year, children often rely on breakfast and lunch at school to help [...]