Rural South Carolina Pantry Serves Food and Hope

Phyllis Smart, founder of the SmartBox Food Pantry, stops for a photo during a Mobile Market Food Distribution in Allendale, South Carolina. The pantry is one of Golden Harvest’s over 300 partner agencies and programs.

Hundreds of cars lined up on a quiet street in Allendale, South Carolina. It was morning, hours before the Mobile Market Food Distribution would begin. But for these families, the fresh produce, canned goods and other grocery items were well worth the wait.

“People start lining up at 10 o’clock,” said Phyllis Smart, founder of the SmartBox Food Pantry. “But the feeding doesn’t start until 1. People are in dire need.”

Phyllis started the food pantry after she moved to the area in 2016. The Fairfax-based organization brings food to nearby rural towns, where access to fresh produce is a challenge for many residents.

Over the course of the pandemic, the pantry has grown to serve over 1,000 residents in Allendale County and neighboring counties.

SmartBox Food Pantry guest Theresa receives fresh produce and more.

“Some of our community members rely on this food — this is their weekly food. They don’t have the money to buy other groceries, especially our elderly community,” said Phyllis. “We’re thankful to be able to partner with Golden Harvest.”

Among those who receive groceries from the SmartBox, many share their food with people who are unable to visit the pantry themselves.

Theresa has picked up fish, chicken, fresh produce, canned goods, household items and more from the food pantry since its founding. She knows that many people in her community struggle with hunger, and she shares items with her neighbors who have difficulty leaving their homes.

“Since Ms. Phyllis started doing this, she has really made a big change in the Fairfax and Allendale area by helping the people,” said Theresa. “I really love this organization. Golden Harvest and the SmartBox have really made a difference.”