This conversation was written by Maggie Vickrey, CHStoday’s digital media intern.
No one could have imagined the struggles, changes, and adaptations this community, and every community, has had to experience over the past couple of months. Charleston has endured health and weather crises, accompanied by drastic social and economic changes. And through it all, Charleston has highlighted its strength in new ways.
In the midst of the constant hard-hitting news, we’re here to provide some good news to lift your spirits and give you even more reasons to be proud of where you live. Here is a list of inspiring ways people and organizations have responded to the pandemic and other exciting happenings that may have been overlooked lately.
Carlos Dunlap, North Charleston native and Cincinnati Bengals defensive end, made significant contributions to aiding COVID-19 effects in North Charleston.
Dunlap helped provide nearly 100,000 meals to the North Charleston and Cincinnati communities. He partnered with ProKel Mobility to provide sanitizers and masks to local residents and donated $10,000 to benefit the Lowcountry Food Bank and Mt. Moriah’s Missionary Baptist Church.
Charleston Shoe Company has donated 100 pairs of shoes to frontline workers at MUSC.
Charleston Shoe Company is offering a “buy one, give one” promotion, where customers can buy any pair of shoes online, apply promo code BuyOneGiveOne at checkout, and a pair of ProLine shoes will automatically be donated to a local frontline worker.
Charleston Wine and Food donated 3,500 meals to feed the homeless.
At the end of each day during the festival, Charleston Wine and Food donates all suitable leftover products to One80 Place, a local homeless shelter. This year they donated 2,780 pounds of food. They also take other sustainable measures like saving oyster shells to put towards saving our shorelines and using eco-friendly cleaning materials.
Publix has donated trailer loads of milk and produce to Lowcountry Food Bank.
The grocer’s donation consisted of 40,400 pounds of produce and 1,980 gallons of milk. Publix is partnering with Southeast Milk to support dairy farmers, including SC dairy farm Cypress Dairy, and help feed those struggling during this time. Publix has also made national efforts to aid the COVID-19 pandemic by donating $2 million to Feeding America.
Porter-Gaud tennis team raised nearly $1,500 for the Lowcountry Food Bank.
The 22 boys on the varsity boy’s tennis team raised a total of $1,300 which goes directly to supporting LCFB COVID-19 relief efforts.
Katie’s Krops created a new program to get kids to garden and donate food.
Katie’s Krops is an organization that creates gardens and inspires young gardeners all over the U.S. to help feed people in the community who are in need. Founder and CofC student, Katie Stagliano, created Seeds of Change this April in response to the pandemic. The new initiative sends out packets of seeds to kids and encourages them to share what they produce with the community.
Huriyali has kept 71,000 lbs of food scraps out of landfills by composting.
By partnering with CompostNow and using locally sourced ingredients, Huriyali has made commendable efforts to limit waste and reduce its carbon footprint.
Charleston County Public Library created a mobile library to reach more people.
The mobile library is set to visit communities around the county equipped with 8 computers, sets of DVDs, and a collection of books. Though the bus is not in operation at the moment due to the current circumstances, you can put in a request for the bus to stop by you when it’s up and running.
Bind Tiger created “Tiger King”-themed merchandise.
A new line of tee-shirts referencing the newly popular Netflix series, “Tiger King,” is available for preorder now. One of the designs features a flashy graphic of Joe Exotic and a glammed-out tiger that you’ll have to see for yourself.
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A local 90-year-old celebrates ‘the best birthday he ever had.’
Summerville resident, Eddie, celebrated his birthday on his front porch with his daughter Edye as neighbors drove by leaving balloons, gifts, and birthday wishes. Though his original birthday plans involved family from all over the country visiting, the group of 27 still managed to come together over Zoom to celebrate.
The Terrace Theater created a drive-in theater.
The Terrace Theater has continued to provide the public with the joy of movies with double features every night, drive-in style. Guests can practice social distancing from the safety of their cars while listening in via their car radio. Not to mention, movie-theater snack favorites are still available for pre-order.
Darius Rucker donated $50,000 to Lowcountry Food Bank.
During the Singing for Supper Telethon on April 18, the Charleston native stressed the importance of helping our neighbors in need during this time. On top of his original donation, Rucker pledged to match the donations that came in that night up to $50,000.
Firefly Distillery adjusted its operations to make hand sanitizer.
In order to meet the demand, the North Charleston Distillery converted some of its distillation equipment to produce hand sanitizer for the military, hospitals, state departments, and members of the community.
Charleston turned 350 years old.
In place of celebratory events, church bells rang throughout the city on April 18 to honor the Holy City and all that it has accomplished and endured.
Booz Allen donated $50,000 to Lowcountry Food Bank.
The tech company’s contribution comes from its pandemic resilience program which includes funding nonprofits and employee support such as increased benefits and job security through July 1.
The North Charleston Police Department created a “Lean on Me” video.
The NCPD put together a touching video of officers reciting and singing the words to “Lean on Me” to show their support during this time.