CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – One nonprofit with a passion for fighting food insecurity just hit a quarter of a million meals given out to Charleston-area residents.
Food SHACK, short for Stop Hunger Among Community Kids, began four years ago in June 2020. That’s when their team saw the need to bridge the gap for families fighting hunger during the pandemic.
“I like to see the kids’ faces light up when they’re running to the truck and everything when I honk the horn. It’s very nice to see all the kids, how happy they are,” volunteer Nathan Bennett said.
They’re known for the car horn honking, paper sacks filled with meals and generous smiles across the faces of volunteers.
Thanks for signing up!
Watch for us in your inbox.
Breaking News
SIGN UP NOW
if ( window.checkSizeClasses && window.checkSizeClasses instanceof Function) {
window.checkSizeClasses();
}
“We’ve just had a lot of kids come out and say, ‘This is the first meal that we’ve had today,’ so it really means a lot. I personally don’t know what it can be like, but I’ve just heard stories, and it breaks your heart. I’m just glad that we’re able to get out here and get the meals out,” volunteer Teddy Bailey said. Bailey’s father, Tommy Bailey, partnered with Tommy Vance to establish “Food SHACK.”
Their work has blossomed into being a seven-day-a-week resource for the Charleston area, and they give out no-cost meals to people spanning across the city and beyond. Their mission is centered around helping families who struggle to have access to meals, no questions asked.
Since the nonprofit began in 2020, they have begun partnering with schools, health departments, corporations, grocery stores and other nonprofits to raise support and meet the need. As of Wednesday, they have given out 250,000 meals to children and families.
The stories of those who are served by Food SHACK are what leave a long-lasting impact on the volunteers.
“It was actually just a couple of weeks ago. We had taken the truck out. I had given a few because usually, kids will come out, and they’ll ask for two or three to give to their siblings as well. I gave the kids some meals, and he said ‘This is the best life ever, thank you.’ So, it sticks with you, and it just makes you want to cry a little bit,” Bailey said.
Similar to Aryah Spinner, a 6-year-old who was the first recipient of a meal when Food SHACK first kicked off their mission in 2020.
“It’s been like awesome and stuff, like y’all give out food. Sometimes I don’t want to give the food, and sometimes I give it to homeless people because they don’t have food,” Spinner said.
Food SHACK said the goal is to eventually hit half a million, and potentially one million meals, served.