Catholic Charities of South Carolina

Michele Corkum has been with Catholic Charities of South Carolina for more than 10 years, serving the diocese in positions from client advocate to disaster case management and regional coordinator.

She now works as director of field offices for CCSC, ensuring site administrators "have what they need to assist our brothers and sisters in need."

"I was with the Salvation Army of Henry County for five years, overseeing clients one-on-one to provide their basic needs, and also worked with its Angel Tree program," Corkum said.

Each of CCSC's seven field offices is staffed by two employees with between 40 and 50 active volunteers at each site. Those volunteers provide nearly a dozen services to the needy across South Carolina, including:

• Our Lady's Pantry (client-choice food pantry)
• Save A Smile (denture assistance)
• Fresh Produce Distributions
• Disaster Response & Recovery
• Clean of Heart (shower and laundry facility for the homeless)
• Getting Ahead Workshops
• Port Ministry
• Immigration Legal Services
• HOPE (mental health chat support)
• Restorative Justice
• Clothing Closet

As the shutdown dragged on, Corkum said CCSC's greatest need was keeping food on shelves.

"In the last several months, we have seen a tremendous increase in clients throughout the state. Our food pantries have doubled — and in some cases/areas — tripled," Corkum said. "Our Clean of Heart facility is in constant need of hygiene items for homeless neighbors. All of our locations need volunteers."

While the agency saw an increase during the shutdown, Corkum noted no one specifically cited the federal closure as their reason for needing help.

"We do anticipate an increase after Nov. 1, however, in our food pantries," she said.

In past shutdowns, CCSC has provided hygiene items to local Coast Guard stations and federal prisons in rural counties, as well as non-perishable foods, cleaning items and baby items to federal employees and their families.

To support Catholic Charities in South Carolina, contact Michele Corkum at mcorkum@charlestondiocese.org or 843-438-3088.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Richard Menniti is president of the Peninsula Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Menniti's SVDP conference operates out of three diocesan parishes in downtown Charleston: the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, St. Mary of the Annunciation and St. Patrick, all in ZIP codes 29401 and 29403.

"We carry out our task with about 22 volunteers known as 'Vincentians,' and we are always looking for more because people leave due to other obligations or changes in their work schedule," Menniti said.

Donations are collected for SVDP programs from the three parishes on the last Sunday of every month. Each conference services clients who reside in particular ZIP codes on the Peninsula.

"Based on statistics we keep, from January to September 2025, our conference assisted 470 families with utility payments and rent, and of that number, 123 families also received bags of food from us," Menniti said.

"But we can only provide so much help based on what we have available in terms of food and finances," he cautioned.

When need exceeds available help, people living in the ZIP codes serviced by this conference are referred to another SVDP outlet or other agencies. All SVDP conferences belong to the Coastal District, whose locations cover the area from Hilton Head to Myrtle Beach.

Menniti noted with regret that the conference cannot be a source of ongoing help due to limited resources.

"We realize that a mother may lose her job, for example, and thereby her child's daycare, and in a case like that, we do the best we can to help people pay a portion of their rent, utilities and leave here with food," he said.

While there is affluence in the area, there is also great economic need, he said.

"Our mission is to let people know that someone cares, and that we see Christ in them," Menniti said.

To volunteer for food distribution at any of the society's three parishes or to make a donation, call the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist at 843-724-8395 or email via https://charlestoncathedral.com.

Low Country Food Bank

The Low Country Food Bank serves 10 coastal counties of South Carolina, operating out of three distribution centers: the Earley branch serving the southern region, Charleston's Hulsey Family Food and Community Nutrition Center, and Food Lion Feeds in Myrtle Beach serving the northern region.

Brenda Shaw, LCFB's chief development officer, noted a 15% increase in food insecurity, largely due to inflation.

"Yes, it did spike during the pandemic — declining as people went back to work — in 2021 to 2022," Shaw said.

In late October, Shaw told The Miscellany that "just a week ago the need for food had absolutely exploded to the point where people did not know where to go, and we were able to steer them to the FOOD FINDER located on our website (https://www.lowcountryfoodbank.org), where they can find our partner agencies using either their ZIP code or by entering their county of residence."

Although the shutdown has ended, the challenge lingers, especially as the holidays approach.

The delayed SNAP benefit payments amounted to $100 million statewide.

"Our annual budget is just $11 million in cash, and even with our sister agencies helping, that doesn't even come close," Shaw said.

Reporter's Note: The LCFB is partnered with East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO), the largest food bank in Charleston. ECCO operates a Wellness Pantry named after the late Msgr. James A. Carter, which provides healthy food choices. On the third Wednesday of each month, ECCO hosts a Fresh and Free Farmer's Market.

Additional Food Banks

With Thanksgiving approaching, three other food banks are ready to help:

• Myrtle Beach — Low Country Food Bank: 843-448-3341
• Aiken — Golden Harvest Food Bank: 803-642-2912
• Columbia, Greenville, etc. — Harvest Hope Food Bank: 803-254-4432