FORT LAWN, S.C. — Food pantries across the Carolinas are feeling the pressure after power outages caused by Helene forced people to throw out food and turn to the pantries for help.
The Fort Lawn Community Center's pantry shared a Facebook post, saying they’re in need of donations. Pantry leaders told WCNC Charlotte around 49% of the Chester County community was in need before the storm, and now the number has increased.
“Folks having to throw away their food that was refrigerated and frozen, they’re having to replace," said executive director Libby Sweatt-Lambert. "People are in crisis. Things are difficult for 49% of the families in this county. With the distributions we’ve been doing over the last few days, we’re seeing people we’ve never seen before."
She says they typically cater to more than 430 families. But after Helene, that number shot up.
“Typically, from our 3rd Saturday food distribution we have food that will carry us all the way to the next month so that we can keep sharing it here and to other pantries – almost all of it’s gone,” she said.
Sweatt-Lambert says to make matters worse, “a lot of our food comes out of Harvest Hope’s Greenville location – and they’re without power or have been.”
The Fort Lawn Community Center says they’re working with other pantries nearby to ensure they all stay afloat - but staff admit it won’t be easy keeping up.
They’re asking for in-date canned goods, perishables, or monetary donations.
Anyone wanting to help can mail/drop those off at 5554 Main Street in Fort Lawn.
Contact Anna King at aking2@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.