With Horry County Schools’ meal program shelved by coronavirus, others helping fill void
A void was left Thursday when Horry County Schools suspended its meal program for at least two weeks due to the impact of coronavirus on its staff.
And while state and local officials are working on a plan to still provide meals for students in need, other organizations in Horry County are stepping up to help bridge the gap for those in need.
The Myrtle Beach City Government announced Sunday that the United Way of Horry County, IMPACT - Myrtle Beach, US Foods and A & A Produce Company have set up two food distribution events this week to help feed students who had been relying on the HCS “Grab & Go” program.
Meals will be available for pickup from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Monday at Living Water Baptist Church, 1569 SC Highway 9, Longs, and during the same time frame Wednesday at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, 2101 North Oak Street. There will be one food box per car and an ID will be required in order to receive goods.
Other organizations offering meal distribution have increased their efforts after the school district suspended its meal program, including 13 grab-and-go sites and multiple bus delivery locations, beginning Thursday, after multiple employees tested positive for COVID-19 and others with potential contact were directed to self-quarantine.
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) has a map detailing sites that are providing food for Horry County families, Help 4 Kids said it has ramped up efforts and is still accepting donations to help feed those in need and Meals on Wheels of Horry County has a website with a directory of churches that are providing food.
“I have never seen such generosity and kindness as we have witnessed this week,” Help 4 Kids stated in a Facebook post Saturday. “Children are being fed along with their families, We are so grateful to everyone for their support and wonderful donations. We could not do it without every one of you.”
Also, the North Myrtle Beach Rotary Club is gathering food from local businesses to aid St. Delight Community Outreach of Horry County, Help 4 Kids and Spokes of Hope. The Rotary Club is also making financial contributions to help those organizations.
“Our partnership with Spokes of Hope is twofold. As we are making financial contributions, the leaders of Spokes of Hope is partnering with local restaurants to make pre-paid meals for families each weekend from our donated funds,” the NMB Rotary Club said in an email, adding that dropoffs can be made from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at The Blome Agency, 82 Cloverleaf Dr. Suite 102, Longs. “Spokes of Hope will then instruct families of which restaurants are participating and will have meals available for pick-up at no cost to them.”
Last week, HCS board chairman Ken Richardson told The Sun News officials are working on an option that would possibly involve providing meals without using district employees, and they’re hoping to have a plan in place to return services by Monday. As of Sunday afternoon, there had been no announcements from the district.
Is your organization helping to provide meals for Horry County residents in need? If so, email dwetzel@thesunnews.com and we’ll add your organization’s details to this story.
This story was originally published April 19, 2020 at 3:08 PM with the headline "With Horry County Schools’ meal program shelved by coronavirus, others helping fill void."
