NEWBERRY COUNTY — Every month, the Living Hope Foundation serves 500 families in Newberry County via their food pantry, something that wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for sponsors or volunteers.

“One in five families in the state of South Carolina cannot afford to buy food. So when we look at our food insecure, our population that deals with hunger in the state of South Carolina, that is 18.3 percent of our population — that is higher than the national average of 15.7 percent, said John Lesaine, chairperson of the Living Hope Foundation Board of Directors. “That is why we do what we do.”

John Glasgow, executive director of the Living Hope Foundation, said with an average family size of four, the 500 families they serve monthly comes out to about 2,000 individuals — all in Newberry County.

“You talk to most people around Newberry, and you think there is no hunger in Newberry, but the statistic John gave shows why we are doing this,” Glasgow said. “We serve those 500 families through the food pantry. We have a mobile pantry that comes in from Harvest Hope, and we are partners with them.”

Glasgow added that without their volunteers and sponsors, they wouldn’t be able to serve those families. He said that the Board was trying to think of a way to say thank you, not only to the people, but the organizations that have been donating to the food pantry for years.

“I’ve been at this thing since 2006, it is gratifying to know we can reach people,” he said. “I know it would be easier to throw the food in the trash, it’s not a simple process to do what you do — so hats off to you. We have families that leave the pantry crying, because they are so grateful, because of what you do.”

The following individuals, and organizations were recognized during the Appreciation Event: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Mike Reid, Merchants Foodservice of Newberry, Boys Farm of Newberry, 121 Truck Washout of Newberry, Little Caesars of Newberry, Walmart of Newberry, Michelle’s of Newberry, Newberry Elementary School, Bi-Lo of Prosperity and Food Lion of Newberry.

Also during the event, Andy Husk, boardmember and member of the Mid-Carolina Lions Club, presented Glasgow a check for $114.50 from the Mid-Carolina Lions Club to support the Living Hope Foundation.

“This was money collected from cans at local businesses,” Husk said.

John Lesaine (left) presents a certificate to Carlton Kinard (right), a representative of Newberry Elementary School, for their sponsorship to the Living Hope Foundation.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_DSC_0228.jpgJohn Lesaine (left) presents a certificate to Carlton Kinard (right), a representative of Newberry Elementary School, for their sponsorship to the Living Hope Foundation. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

John Lesaine (right) presents a certificate to Jarren Johnson (left), a representative of Bi-Lo of Prosperity, for their sponsorship to the Living Hope Foundation.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_DSC_0229.jpgJohn Lesaine (right) presents a certificate to Jarren Johnson (left), a representative of Bi-Lo of Prosperity, for their sponsorship to the Living Hope Foundation. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

John Lesaine (left) presents a certificate to Becky Davenport (right), a representative of Food Lion of Newberry, for their sponsorship to the Living Hope Foundation.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_DSC_0232.jpgJohn Lesaine (left) presents a certificate to Becky Davenport (right), a representative of Food Lion of Newberry, for their sponsorship to the Living Hope Foundation. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

Andy Husk (left) presents a check to John Glasgow (right) on behalf of the Mid-Carolina Lions Club to help the Living Hope Foundation.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_DSC_0237.jpgAndy Husk (left) presents a check to John Glasgow (right) on behalf of the Mid-Carolina Lions Club to help the Living Hope Foundation. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

John Lesaine (left) presents a certificate to Mike Reid for helping sponsor the Living Hope Foundation.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_DSC_0238.jpgJohn Lesaine (left) presents a certificate to Mike Reid for helping sponsor the Living Hope Foundation. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

The Living Hope Foundation is managed by the Living Hope Foundation Board. The following members were present during the Appreciation Event. Pictured Front (l to r): Pastor Rinzee Stansberry, Larry Kinard, Liz Rivera, Lillie Bates. Back (l to r): Andy Husk, John Lesaine, Dr. Peggy Barnes-Winder, John Glasgow.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_DSC_0241-2-.jpgThe Living Hope Foundation is managed by the Living Hope Foundation Board. The following members were present during the Appreciation Event. Pictured Front (l to r): Pastor Rinzee Stansberry, Larry Kinard, Liz Rivera, Lillie Bates. Back (l to r): Andy Husk, John Lesaine, Dr. Peggy Barnes-Winder, John Glasgow. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@championcarolinas.com

Reach Andrew Wigger @ 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.