Charleston Living Magazine Nov-Dec 2023

NON-PROFITS
Greatest need: Contributions through
donations, volunteering and partnerships.
Donations can be directed to specific programs
or the general fund. Volunteers are always
needed to assist with Marketplace food
distribution or participating in the Adopt-
A-Property program. Explore partnership
opportunities, including collaborations with
Marketplace and property adoption and to
learn more about supporting development
initiatives at www.humanitiesfoundation.org
Lowcountry Food Bank
2864 Azalea Dr., North Charleston
www.lowcountryfoodbank.org
843-747-8146
able housing problem in the Charleston area.
Tracy had served as the second chairperson
for Mayor Riley’s City of Charleston
Commission on Homelessness and Affordable
Housing, where she learned about
the depth and complexity of the problem.
Together, she and Bob decided to bring the
family’s real estate expertise to the nonprofit
arena, leading to the formation of the Humanities
Foundation.
The mission of Humanities Foundation
is a multifaceted approach to addressing
critical housing and community needs. The
foundation's dedication to developing highquality
affordable and workforce housing
directly tackles the pressing issue of housing
affordability, providing individuals and families
with secure, safe, and affordable homes,
which is essential for community stability.
Over 30 years, Humanities Foundation
has built more than 2,500 apartments for
low- to moderate-income individuals and
families. The organization specializes in environmentally-sustainable
housing that fits
into the fabric of each neighborhood. Apartment
communities have expanded statewide
in South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and
Louisiana.
Humanities Foundation is currently
revitalizing the historic Henry P. Archer
School in downtown Charleston, transforming
it into Archer School Apartments, which
will be 89 affordable apartments for seniors
aged 55 and older. The $42 million project
involves rehabilitating the existing structure
and adding two new buildings with a focus
The groundbreaking at Archer School apartments in
downtown Charleston, which will be 89 affordable
apartments for seniors aged 55 and older.
on preserving historical elements and ensuring
environmental sustainability.
Future projects in downtown Charleston
include developing a 106-unit senior affordable
housing community on Lee Street.
Humanities Foundation created ShelterNet
to provide emergency housing assistance,
which has helped more than 50,000
people avoid eviction or loss of essential utility
services. Other initiatives include Marketplace,
a free food delivery program, along
with many other programs for youths and
seniors that include transportation, summer
programs and community gardens.
Founded in 1983 by Trident United Way
and Coastal Community Foundation, the
Lowcountry Food Bank was created to
address the community health issue of
hunger—which we now understand more
broadly as food insecurity—and the pursuit
of equitable, dignified and consistent access
to nutritious food. We serve the 10 coastal
counties in South Carolina.
According to Feeding America, the
food insecurity rate in Charleston County
is 8% of the population. Last year, in all
10 counties, we distributed more than 39
million pounds of food, of which 65% was
protein, produce, and dairy products, especially
in harder to reach rural communities.
Approximately 50% of the people we serve
are children and seniors.
We partner with schools to provide
The Lowcountry Food Bank
partners with local schools
to provide School Markets
that allow students and their
families to select food items to
take home; BackPack Buddies
which fills meal gaps on
weekends and Kids Café and
summer feeding programs.
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