Sharron Haley/Clarendon Citizen - Standing beside one of the 13 packed pickups is Nick Meistrell, Hank Boudreau, Sara Beth Richburg, Trey Gardner, Ronnie Frierson, Isaiah Mathis, Jay Spann and Todd “Mr. Character Counts” Heldreth.
Pack-a-Pickup a huge success
‘Tis the season of giving and the folks in Clarendon County are making the holiday season better for dozens of less fortunate Clarendon County families.
Todd “Mr. Character Counts” Heldreth asked the community to pack 12 – not just 10 – pickups with food this year for United Ministries of Clarendon County.
His challenge was answered.
County schools, businesses and individuals stepped up and packed not 10, not 12, but 13 pickups with food.
“We did the final count this morning and we had 13 pickups,” Sara Richburg with the Zone said Friday. “We are so excited. It went really well. They’re still in there sorting out groceries.”
Schools asked the call by packing pickups with flour, rice, canned goods, grits, peanut butter or jelly and canned vegetables. The Zone and Clarendon Memorial Hospital collected all items.
Churches stepped up to help by donating monetary gifts that will allow UMCC to purchase items through the food banks at only a fraction of the retail cost.
In response to an earlier request, businesses and individuals have stepped up and donated the use of their trucks and trailers to pick up the food items in Florence so that UMCC won’t have to pay $200 to transport the needed food items to Manning.
“It’s a wonderful thing,” said Kathy Bryce, executive director of UMCC. “It’s going to be a good Christmas.”
Bryce said that along with schools, churches and businesses, individuals and families have chosen to donate to UMCC this holiday season.
“One local family decided that in lieu of Christmas gifts for the adults on their Christmas lists they would make cash donations to United Ministries,” Bryce added. “It’s wonderful. Mere words cannot express my gratitude to everyone for helping.”
In the month of November alone, UMCC had 57 new people apply for assistance, she added.
“Today, I had a request for a family who had their power turned off,” Bryce added. “Their car was repossessed and they had no food for their children. People are hurting. Children are hurting.”
One unique gift UMCC received this year was a five-foot Christmas tree decorated with lights and food items for decorations. It was donated to UMCC by the Wyboo Community Church.
“It is beautiful,” Bryce said. “What a wonderful gift for a family with children.”
Although the shelves at UMCC are stocked right now, it won’t take long for them to empty.
“It will go fast,” Bryce said. “We’re seeing more and more people who are in need.”
Bryce said that with the recent donations she hopes UMCC would be able to help needy families get through the holidays with food on the table.
“Thank you. The people of Clarendon County are the best. This is the season of giving and the people of Clarendon County are making the holidays better for those less fortunate,” Bryce added.
