2024 Annual Impact Report: Hearts for Summerville – Delivering Dignity, One Meal at a Time

For the past five years, Hearts for Summerville has been a steadfast presence in the lives of local children and families, delivering food, building relationships, and offering hope—one doorstep at a time. 

“We’re thrilled to offer healthy and delicious frozen meals to our Hearts kids,” said program leader Heather. “They’re a perfect supplement to the non-perishable staples we provide—and easy for elementary-aged kids to heat up on their own.” 

As a trusted Lowcountry Food Bank partner, Hearts for Summerville reaches 652 children ages birth to 18 on a rotating basis, serving 35 to 70+ children each week. With many families lacking transportation, their home delivery model ensures food is accessible, especially for working parents. In 2024 alone, the team delivered 7,490 meals, and a community freezer remains stocked so families can access food anytime.

Every Monday and Wednesday—and on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays—they deliver meals directly or host food truck-style events offering hot meals, groceries, clothing, books, and more. Neighbors have given positive feedback about this wonderful program: 

“You help us stretch our budget so we can make ends meet.” – from a local Mom of two

“The pancakes are my favorite!” – from a local pre-teen

“I can cook by myself!” – from an elementary school child

Beyond food, Hearts meets the needs of the whole child—responding to challenges like housing, education, and emotional support. Their relationships go far beyond transactions; they remember birthdays, celebrate milestones, and show up during times of crisis. 

“We’ve seen it all—from house fires to moms going into labor during food deliveries. We can’t fix everything, but we can promise to keep showing up—and be a friend.”

Their work reflects values that Lowcountry Food Bank strives to uphold: kindness, respect, integrity, and collaboration. 

“We believe in treating every family with love and dignity,” said Heather. “Our partnerships—with LCFB, local churches, and nonprofits like Katie’s Krops—allow us to serve more families and offer more than just food.” 

Thanks to the support from Lowcountry Food Bank and funding from the Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation, Hearts has been able to significantly stretch its food budget, redirecting resources to help families with rent, utilities, and medical care. 

“Because of LCFB, we haven’t had to buy food this past year. That’s allowed us to give more abundantly.” 

A Note from LCFB: 

“I’ve had the pleasure of joining Heather and Cindy on deliveries,” said Misty from LCFB. “The way the kids light up when they see them is unforgettable. Whether it’s balloons for a birthday or a hot meal on a tough day, Heather and Cindy embody everything we aspire to be at LCFB—kind, thoughtful, and committed to treating everyone with dignity. We’re grateful for their partnership.” 

This article was originally published in our 2024 Annual Impact Report. View the full report here.

About the Lowcountry Food Bank: Feed. Advocate. Empower.

The Lowcountry Food Bank serves the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina and distributed more than 39 million pounds of food in 2023. The Lowcountry Food Bank helps fight hunger by distributing food to nearly 230 partner agencies including on-site meal programs, homeless shelters and emergency food pantries. The Lowcountry Food Bank advocates on behalf of those who experience hunger and helps empower people to make healthy and nutritious food choices. For more information, visit the Lowcountry Food Bank website.