Holiday Heroes: Local Charities Bring the Gift of Hope

The holiday season evokes thoughts of fun, family and joy for most. For some, the season brings stress, anxiety and a never-ending question of how to stretch the budget to the limit. From worrying about putting food on the table and how to buy gifts when the budget is already extended to coping with grief and loneliness, it is easy to see why this can be a difficult season for some. That’s where our local nonprofits step in. People caring for people is the cornerstone of the holidays and reminds us that holiday spirit doesn’t come in a box.

This year, a few organizations in our community are truly shining as they partner with neighbors in need. Be A Mentor, Lowcountry Food Bank, East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) and WakeUp Carolina have their own ways of bringing hope to neighbors, and they would love to help you get involved this winter.

BE A MENTOR

Families don’t always need more “stuff” and Be A Mentor has learned this firsthand over the past few years. Time spent together is what most families cherish and the only gift they want to receive. Be A Mentor has started creating experiences that bring people closer rather than just distributing gifts and material items.

Last year, they gave several families six-month memberships to a local jump park in lieu of gifts. Lasting memories and joy were shared more than just one time and allowed for family time after the season ended. Their plan is to do it again this year.

At their upcoming Family Holiday Party, families will gather for games, delicious food and keepsake photos with a professional photographer. This party allows parents to enjoy time with the kids and children are given the opportunity to make small homemade gifts for their family members. What a great reminder that high price tags don’t always make the best gifts.

They’ve also stocked a local school’s “holiday shop,” where kids can select gifts for their families. This is a beautiful opportunity for students to feel empowered to give meaningful gifts to those they love without having to worry about the financial burden. Helping kids and parents feel the joy of giving and receiving is what Be A Mentor is all about during the holiday season.

For more information, visit beamentornow.org.

LOWCOUNTRY FOOD BANK

Thousands of families in the Lowcountry are wondering where their next meal will come from and this doesn’t change during the holiday season. The Lowcountry Food Bank works all year to fight hunger, and as you can imagine, this season is their busiest.

Volunteers are instrumental in the work they do. From helping pack and sort food, running distributions and lending a hand wherever it’s needed, they wouldn’t be able to impact lives without community partners. In fact, volunteers put in more than 41,000 hours last year.

Fundraisers are also critical. The 27th Annual Chefs’ Feast on Feb. 27, 2026, is the organization’s biggest fundraiser for the year. More than 30 chefs come together to serve incredible food, and proceeds raised support programs like BackPack Buddies and Kids Café.

If you can’t make it to Chefs’ Feast, there are other ways to help including donating online, hosting a virtual food drive with your friends or coworkers or even setting up a traditional food collection. Your giving allows families peace of mind and the chance to gather around the table. Just $1 donated to the Food Bank helps provide three meals, which proves what a powerful impact your dollar can have.

Visit lowcountryfoodbank.org for more information.

EAST COOPER COMMUNITY OUTREACH

East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) is living out its mission of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” In November, they’ll be distributing Thanksgiving meals so families can enjoy the holiday without agonizing over how to afford it. Meals include all the fixings, along with a gift card to fill in any holes.

The Adopt-A-Family program, which officially kicks off on Nov. 3 this year, matches donors with families in need, making sure hundreds of children wake up on Christmas morning with gifts and warm clothes. ECCO makes it easy to donate through a wish list.

ECCO walks alongside families through tough times by offering encouragement, advocacy and resources. No one in our community should have to struggle alone and they are looking forward to partnering with the community this holiday season.

Learn more at eccocharleston.org.

By Cari Lawson

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