COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — For many low-income families throughout the Midlands, Thanksgiving can be a reminder of the food insecurity they face on a daily basis. That’s why a local food bank is available to help — not only during the holidays — but in the weeks to come as well. CEO of Harvest Hope, Erinn Rowe, says the food bank serves as a bridge for families who are having to decide between putting food on the table, or paying their bills. “We feed people after Thanksgiving, we feed people 365 days of the year, and we can because of great community partners, but I encourage everyone to think past one day, because our families are hungry the day after Thanksgiving,” she says. Along with added holiday expenses, Rowe says the winter months often bring higher power bills and other cost increases. Harvest Hope’s Shop Road location in Columbia is open each weekday, providing much needed groceries to families and individuals in need of help. “So we’re here for them throughout the holiday season and into the winter months, not just on one particular day of the year. So when we’re giving out food, we’re making sure they’re getting that great shelf-stable food in items that are gonna make their dollars stretch farther,” Rowe says. John Couzelis has volunteered at Harvest Hope for two and a half years. “It does get emotional, because you see a line of cars out here every single day. You know Monday through Friday they’re in need, and it hits you hard sometimes that these people just need our help. It doesn’t matter your ethnicity, your age, you know, everyone needs help. And we just all come together, the volunteers and the people who have needs for us, it’s just kind of all the same — giving back is what we do,” he says. Harvest Hope finds that one out of every eight homes across SC face hunger on a daily basis. Rowe says if you’re interested in volunteering, to please reach out. “If you’re looking for something to give back this holiday season and into January, February, March —  that’s really when we need our volunteers. Bring your families, bring your friends, bring your work group, bring your church group, bring your sports team. Come to Harvest Hope and let’s really make sure we have sustainable families here in SC,” she says. Categories: Local News, News Tags: Erinn Rowe, food insecurity, Harvest Hope, John Couzelis, Thanksgiving