Hilton Head Island’s Sandalwood food pantry is currently experiencing huge crowds (~100 families) each Tuesday, which is up to three times the number of clients served pre-pandemic. This large increase in clients is caused by a “perfect storm” of events: 1) lingering unemployment due to COVID; 2) end of additional unemployment benefits for those without jobs; 3) large increase in the cost of food (especially meat, fish, fruits & vegetables, dairy, and diapers) due to inflation; 4) additional increase in cost of food due to supply chain issues; and 5) large increase in the cost of gasoline and heating fuel. Sandalwood’s clients are facing a crisis in terms of affording basic food and also hygiene items (e.g., baby diapers and wipes) for their families. 100 Men Who Care funds would be used by Sandalwood to purchase additional food and hygiene items that are critical to addressing the food insecurity and basic hygiene issues faced by these families in crisis.
Nominated by Roy Chiulli. Presented April 2022