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Shaw HAWC provides for less fortunate locals

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nicole Sikorski
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The Health and Wellness Center has taken an active role in the local community in their help with the first Harvest Hope food drive here.

Harvest Hope is collecting food from 20 counties in South Carolina to give to the less fortunate.

Shaw specifically collects for the Florence branch of Harvest Hope.

Bins are at each 20th Aerospace Medical Squadron location as well as the Fitness Center and Fitness Center Annex, Commissary, the Base Exchange, McElveen library, Spratt Education Center, the Airman Family Readiness Center and the Chief Master Sgt. Emerson. E Williams dining facility.

As well as the food bank in Florence, Harvest Hope has locations in Columbia and Lexington, S.C., and Greater Greenville, N.C.

"We are helping out the local community," said Janine Reinholtz, HAWC dietician. "That's the name of the game and it's great to (give back to others)."

The HAWC asks that donations be nonperishable foods such as peanut butter, canned meats, oatmeal, brown rice, canned vegetables, beans, toiletries, diaper, detergent and plastic or paper bags.

Harvest Hope provides posters and boxes and also comes to each location to pick them up once they are full.

In addition to giving back to those in need, Reinholtz states that it also creates a positive example of a healthy lifestyle.

"As a dietician, I feel that it's not only important to pay attention to our own nutrition, but also the nutrition of others," said Reinholtz. "If we can help, why not?"

So far, the food drive at Shaw has been a success.

"It's been great so far," said Penny Hardin, HAWC Program manager. "Every bin I have gone to has had food in it."

Anyone can donate the suggested items at any 20th AMDS location.