Tuesday, March 7, 2023
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Roper St. Francis Healthcare awards $10,000 grant to Charleston County Public Library to fight community hunger
Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s Community Investment Program awarded a $10,000 grant to the Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) for its Free and Fresh Community Fridge program.
The program distributes free fruits and vegetables at select libraries in areas with high food insecurity and need.
“A healthier community isn’t possible without equitable access to affordable and nutritious food,” said Dr. Michael Moxley, vice president and chief diversity, inclusion and health equity officer for Roper St. Francis Healthcare. “We’re honored to support CCPL’s Free and Fresh program as we believe it will help provide a solid foundation of holistic health and wellness for the underserved in our community.”
Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s Community Investments Program provides donations to organizations working to positively impact the the healthcare system’s prioritized community health needs. The primary goal of the Community Investment Program is to “make a difference in the lives of people, and in particular, the underprivileged in our community.” The grants are part of an annual funding opportunity targeted at community non-profit organizations with programs that focus on health or wellness.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Roper St. Francis Healthcare as we work to continue providing this vital resource to our community,” said Kathleen Montgomery, CCPL Associate Director of Community Engagement. “This program is entirely community-funded, and support like this will help us put healthy, fresh and free food in the hands and mouths of those in need in our community.”
CCPL’s Free and Fresh program has fridges stationed at three library branches: John L. Dart Library (currently closed for renovations), Otranto Road Library (2261 Otranto Road in North Charleston) and St. Paul’s/Hollywood Library (5130 Hwy. 165 in Hollywood). Each fridge is stocked with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables thanks to donations from community partners, as well as people in the community, who can drop produce off at any of the fridges during the library’s operating hours. Any food items in the fridges are free and accessible to the public with no advance registration or sign-up required.
“Take what you need, leave what you can,” said Montgomery.
If you would like to help support this program, please consider making a donation by dropping off fresh produce to the St. Paul’s Hollywood or Otranto Road library. Make a financial donation.