Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island (BPBSI)
Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity founded in May 2014. Our mission is to feed hungry children living below the poverty line who attend Charleston County, SC, public schools. We provide nutritious food and snacks to those needy children for the weekend (and school holidays) so that they do not go hungry and can return to school ready to learn. We currently purchase and deliver food for 437 students each week at elementary and high schools in the area. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering or would like more information.
Contact: Tory Kindley at torykindley@gmail.com (469-231-3460).
Meals That Heal – Ronald McDonald House Charleston
The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Meals That Heal program provides breakfasts and dinners to families who are staying at the RMH who often don’t have the time, funds, or energy to prepare a healthy, home-cooked meal. After a long day at the hospital, a hot meal is a welcome gift. The Meals That Heal program relies completely on people within the community to keep it up and running.
Sarah and Bill Good have been organizing groups of volunteers from Seabrook to provide dinners monthly. The volunteers work as a group to plan menus, purchase ingredients, and prepare meals in RMH’s fully-equipped kitchen. It’s a fun group activity, all while providing much needed support to families of sick children.
Contact: Sarah Good, sarahgood329@gmail.com
Seabrook Island Village, Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Seabrook Island Village (SIV), Neighbors Helping Neighbors, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization totally staffed by volunteers with the goal of helping Seabrookers of any age remain independent and active in the community. The program officially launched in January 2020 to fulfill SIV’s mission of providing a variety of services to Seabrookers through a group of trained and vetted volunteers. Services include, but are not limited to transportation, companionship visits, reassuring calls, minor home maintenance, and basic help with technology. We especially are in need of volunteers for transportation and those that are interested in planning and attending social events with members. Click here for the volunteer application form.
Contact: seabrookislandvillage.org, by email at contactus@seabrookislandvillage.org , or call 843-212-7181 and leave a message.
Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation
The Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation (SIHAF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is fighting island hunger and providing clean water for the residents of Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. SIHAF oversees three programs needing volunteers.
On the second Saturday of each month, the Blessing Basket provides approximately 300 baskets of nourishing groceries, fresh produce, meat, eggs, and bread to residents of Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. For an opportunity to volunteer for the monthly packing and distribution of the Blessing Basket food, contact the Volunteer Coordinator Louise Baucom at louise.baucom@gmail.com.
In the Crockpot Cooking program, volunteers provide hands-on instructions to elementary and middle school students on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands as they learn to prepare healthy, nutritious meals in a crockpot. To volunteer or for additional information, please contact Barbara Griffin at griffib@clemson.edu.
The Water Wellness Mission installs new wells and filtration systems for the hundreds of people on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands who suffer from impure water and dysfunctional wells. For information and to volunteer, contact: John Carpenter, jcarpenter1313@gmail.com, (309)-648-8249.
Third Serve Foundation
Third Serve Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing no-cost tennis instruction to underserved youths in the Charleston Area. Third Serve was co-founded in 2021 by Jonathan Barth, Director of Tennis on Kiawah and Bruce Hawtin, director of the Barth-Hawtin Tennis Academy. Collaborating with Kiawah Island and E.L Frierson Elementary, Third Serve provides transportation for the students to the Roy Barth Tennis Center twice weekly for practice. Thanks to Seabrook resident, Rich Goheen, Seabrook Island now partners with this program.
Your support is needed and requested! In an effort to accommodate a larger number of students this spring, funding is needed to cover the growing costs of transportation, equipment, educational materials and more. If you are interested in making a donation, wish to volunteer, or would like to learn more, please visit our website.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
and Tax Counseling for the Elderly
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. VITA/TCE services are not only free, but they are also a reliable and trusted source for preparing tax returns. All VITA/TCE volunteers receive tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards. This training is provided to volunteers free of charge and no prior experience is necessary. If you would like to help folks with low to moderate incomes and many senior citizens file their returns, this is the volunteer opportunity for you.
Contact: Ted O’Sullivan, (508)-878-7105
–Tidelines Editors
(Image credit: Clipart Library; BPBSI; LMMN; SIHAF; SIV; Third Serve Foundation, VITA)