Food Assistance and Ways to Help

Published November 4, 2025
Food Assistance and Ways to Help

SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is the country's largest nutrition assistance program, making up for 70 percent of USDA nutrition assistance spending in 2024. The South Carolina Department of Social Services reports that more than 556,000 South Carolinians, roughly 266,000 households, received SNAP benefits last month. They also report that the funding halt could affect around 900 food banks and pantries in South Carolina.  Below are resources for those personally affected by the changes in SNAP benefits, as well as ways everyone can love and help their neighbors in need. As information on SNAP benefits continue to change, it is important to check for updates as you search for food and ways to help.  

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me…Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”   Matthew 25: 35-36, 40  

For Those in Need of Food: 

SC FOOD ACCESS MAP and CLEMSON RURAL HEALTH locations: Provides a searchable map of food and other assistance programs. Has eligibility requirement details, contact information, and hours of operation. Click here for more information.

SC 211: Call 2-1-1 to speak with an operator who can help identify support services, or text “help” to 211-211, or visit sc211.org 

Broad River Business Alliance Emergency Community Response Hotline: 803-939-6544 

FOOD PANTRIES  

1. Harvest Hope Food Bank Food Pantry list (search by zipcode)  Click here for more details. 

2. Opulence Grooming Community Food Pantry  
      Location: 6941 N Trenholm Road, Suite P-2  
      Details: Opulence will serve as both a drop-off and distribution site.  

3. Brookland Baptist Church’s Community Food Table Program  
     Locations:
  • Brookland Lakeview Empowerment Center (BLEC), 1218 Batchelor St., West Columbia
  • Brookland Baptist Northeast Campus, 1203 Summit Parkway in Columbia  Details: pick up food on the Second and fourth Friday of the Month from 9 a.m. to noon. Senior citizen supplemental food box distributions are on the second Friday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon. In addition, Northeast Campus operates a food pantry from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Tuesday and a mobile food pantry by appointment and based on availability. BLEC operates an emergency food pantry 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday or on weekends by appointment.   
Sign-up/assessment forms and more information are available online.  

Elevations S.C.O.R.E. Initiative - Eastover (in partnership with Food for All) 
Location: Eastover Resource Center  Details: Grocery pick-up every other Tuesday (10/28, 11/14, 11/25, 12/9, 12/23). Contact Dr. Charla Henson-Simons (803) 729-0062  

Richland Library “Eat Fresh Freely” Community Fridges  
     Details: Free produce, no questions asked, is available at select branches (St. Andrews, Northeast, Eastover, North Main) during library hours. This is great for quick, fresh items between pantry trips. 

MEALS 

Elevations S.C.O.R.E. Initiative - Eastover (in partnership with Food for All) 
     Location: Eastover Resource Center  
     Details: Ready meals pick-up Monday-Friday 10 AM-2 PM; Contact Dr. Charla Henson-Simons (803) 729-0062   

Fast picks (when you’re deciding where to go first): 

• Most consistent hours & volume: Harvest Hope (Shop Rd).  
• If you need a voucher or can’t reach a church pantry: The Cooperative Ministry.   
• Northeast/Two Notch side of town: Rehoboth UMC; FoodShare hub (Columbia Mall Blvd).   
• Irmo/Chapin/Lexington edge: Sharing God’s Love (appointment). 

Note: If there is a remaining balance on your SNAP EBT card, you can still use that money after November 1st.  

For Those Wanting to Help: 

MONETARY DONATIONS 

Harvest Hope Campaign  Details: Harvest Hope Government Shutdown Crisis Fundraiser - Click here for more information.  

ONE SC FUND Emergency Response  Details: The ONE SC Fund was created to coordinate philanthropic response to disasters in South Carolina. It has been used for things like floods, hurricanes, and the COVID-19 Pandemic. It is administered by Central Carolina Community Foundation, and 99% of the money donated goes to non-profits providing assistance in SC. 1% goes to outreach, research, reporting, and administration and oversight of grant contracts.   Click here for more information.

Email mcantey@shandonumc.org for a list of restaurants where you can purchase a meal for someone in need.  

FOOD DONATIONS 

1. Harvest Hope Food Bank Food Pantry list (search by zipcode). Click here for more info.    

2. City of Columbia’s Honor the Dream Food Drive  
Details: Donations will be accepted at the following locations through November 14.   Requested items include canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned meat, and dry goods.  
  • Busby Street Community Center, 1735 Busby Street
  • Columbia City Hall, 1737 Main Street
  • Columbia Art Center, 1227 Taylor St., Ste. C  
  • Columbia Tennis Center, 1635 Whaley Street  
  • Charles R. Drew Wellness Center, 2101 Walker Solomon Way  
  • Earlewood Park, 1111 Parkside Drive  
  • Greenview Park, 6700 David Street  
  • James E. Clyburn Golf Center, 2091 Slighs Avenue, Columbia, SC 29204  
  • Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Avenue  
  • Katheryn M. Bellfield Booker Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center, 2611 Grant Street  
  • Lorick Park, 1600 Lorick Avenue  
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, 2300 Greene Street  
  • Pinehurst Park, 2300 Pinehurst Road  
  • Woodland Park, 6500 Olde Knight Parkway  
  • City Human Resources, Office of Business Opportunities, 1401 Main Street 
  • Columbia Fire Department Headquarters, 1800 Laurel Street
  • Columbia Police Department Headquarters, 1 Justice Square  
  • City of Columbia Payment Center, 3000 Harden Street  
  • Public Works, 2910 Colonial Drive  
  • Washington Square Payment Center, 1136 Washington Street  

 3. Opulence Grooming Community Food Pantry 
      Location: 6941 N Trenholm Road, Suite P-2
      Details: Opulence will serve as both a drop-off and distribution site. 

VOLUNTEER  

2. Harvest Hope Food Bank Food Pantry list (search by zipcode)  
     Details: see each location’s website for volunteer opportunities  Click here for more details.   

1. Harvest Hope Food Bank  
     Location: 2220 Shop Road  
     Details: Register online to see available opportunities and shifts for both individuals and groups.   Click here for more details.   

  All information listed above was found on Harvesthope.com, SC-2-1-1 (United Way) resource lists, usda.gov, npr.org, wyff4.com, and wltx.com  

BUSINESSES SUPPORTING SNAP RECIPIENTS

Click here for a list of restaurants and businesses with opportunities for those seeking meals due to SNAP changes.  As information on SNAP benefits continues to change, it is important to check for updates as you search for food and ways to help.