About Us
Fighting hunger with compassion and accountability
Countryside Hunger Strike Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization rooted in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. We partner with neighbors, faith communities, farmers, and local agencies to make sure no family in our region goes hungry.
Our Story
From a single church pantry to a county-wide movement
Countryside Hunger Strike Project began in a small church fellowship hall in Berkeley County, where a handful of volunteers packed grocery bags every Saturday for neighbors who had quietly fallen behind on groceries. Within months, the need had outgrown the kitchen. Today we operate mobile distributions, weekend backpack programs for schoolchildren, senior meal deliveries, and a fresh produce partnership with local Lowcountry farms.
Our work is grounded in one belief: no one in our community should have to choose between paying a utility bill and feeding their children. Every program we run, every dollar we accept, and every hour we spend is in service of that promise.
What drives us
Mission, vision, and values
Our Mission
To eliminate hunger and food insecurity by providing nutritious food, resources, and compassionate support to individuals and families across South Carolina.
Our Vision
A community where every person has reliable access to healthy food and the dignity that comes with it — regardless of zip code, age, or circumstance.
Our Values
Compassion, integrity, transparency, and partnership guide every program we run, every dollar we steward, and every relationship we build.
Impact at a glance
Measurable progress, one neighbor at a time
Meals delivered in the last fiscal year
South Carolina counties served
Active volunteers each year
Of every dollar spent on programs
Our journey
Milestones along the way
- 2019
The first pantry opens
A church fellowship hall in Moncks Corner becomes our first weekly distribution site.
- 2021
Mobile distribution launches
We expand into rural Berkeley County with a refrigerated van and Saturday route.
- 2023
IRS 501(c)(3) recognition
Federal tax-exempt status confirmed (EIN 74-3113850), effective June 21, 2023.
- 2024
Backpack program scales
Weekend meal backpacks reach four Title I schools across Berkeley County.
- 2025
120,000-meal milestone
Thanks to record volunteer participation, we cross 120,000 meals delivered annually.
Leadership
Governed by neighbors, for neighbors
Our all-volunteer Board of Directors meets quarterly and oversees finances, programs, and strategic direction. Board members serve without compensation.
Board of Directors
Governance & Oversight
A volunteer board representing faith communities, local business, and education.
Program Team
Distributions & Logistics
Coordinates pantry hours, mobile routes, and partner agency hand-offs.
Volunteer Council
Community Engagement
Onboards, trains, and recognizes the 850+ volunteers who power our work.
Financial accountability
Every dollar accounted for
As a 501(c)(3) public charity, we file IRS Form 990 annually and publish our program ratios for full donor transparency. Our books are reviewed each year by an independent CPA, and our Board's Finance Committee meets quarterly.
- 92¢ of every dollar goes directly to programs
- 5¢ supports administration and operations
- 3¢ funds fundraising and donor stewardship
- Annual IRS Form 990 publicly available
- Independent CPA review every fiscal year
501(c)(3) Verified
IRS-recognized tax-exempt public charity.
Form 990 Filed
Annual return on file with the IRS.
Public Charity 509(a)(2)
Broad public-support classification.
Audited Annually
Independent CPA financial review.
Official Documentation
IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter
Below is our official Letter 947 from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, confirming our tax-exempt status. Donations to Countryside Hunger Strike Project are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law under IRC Section 170.
Community voices
What our neighbors say
"When my hours got cut, the Saturday pantry kept my kids fed. The volunteers treated us like family — not like a case number."
"We donate produce every harvest. Watching it land in real kitchens the same week — that's why we keep partnering with Countryside."
Where we serve
Rooted in the South Carolina Lowcountry
Our headquarters sits in Moncks Corner, but our distributions reach across the Lowcountry — from rural farming communities to growing suburban neighborhoods. We work closely with school districts, faith communities, and county social services to identify need and avoid duplication.
- Berkeley County
- Charleston County
- Dorchester County
- Orangeburg County (partial)
- Williamsburg County (partial)
Headquarters
Countryside Hunger Strike Project1818 S Live Oak Dr
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
(843) 336-2367
Mailing address for donations and correspondence. Please contact us before dropping off in-kind food donations so we can coordinate intake.
Stand with your neighbors
Whether you give an hour or a hundred dollars, your support puts food on a real kitchen table in South Carolina this week.