Filling a need for people in her community has been the lifelong work of Vicky Hunnings. A retired nurse practitioner, Vicky now dedicates her time to organizing and volunteering at the Sandalwood Community Food Bank to help solve the problem of hunger in our community.The food bank is now supported by FPC’s Local Missions Ministry and volunteers from the church, includ-
ing Pastor Sam Martin; Skip Bitler, who is completing the 501 C(3) application and is the organization’s new
treasurer; Chris Sanders, who is looking for a new site for the food bank; Dan Mullin and Terry Truax, regular volunteers; FPC’s youth fellowship; Jackie Wilhelm; Vicky and many others.
The food bank was organized two years ago by the Rev. Dr. Nannette Pierson to help residents in Sandal-
wood Terrace, a local public housing apartment complex. “I met Nannette at the first task force meeting on hunger and homelessness at Congregation Beth Yam and wanted to learn more about her program, so I
started volunteering at the pantry,” Vicky said. “The first time I was there I felt I’d found a soul sister, one who was doing remarkable things on a very limited budget and impacting hundreds of lives. I had to get involved and I’m thrilled that the church has chosen to do the same.”
The food bank is located in temporary space in a garage behind the building at 31 Mathews Drive. The food bank receives donated food from Second Helpings and purchases canned goods inexpensively from the USDA warehouse in Yemassee. “Many people do not understand the depth of hunger and homelessness on Hilton Head Island,” she added. People patiently wait in line to receive food, traveling by bike or on foot; many are mothers pushing strollers. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds and often have health issues, including diabetes and hypoglycemia.
At that first task force meeting at Congregation Beth Yam, the group decided to explore a backpack program for children in need in the local schools to provide them with food to take home because for many, the only meal they eat is the school lunch. These are children who return to homes where the cup-
boards are bare and there is no food in the refrigerator.
The second group has organized a committee to explore the current homeless situation on the island. Vicky has a strong interest in helping people who are homeless and has done extensive research about the need and possible solutions. A published author of mysteries set in the Lowcountry, Vicky evaluated the
hours she was spending on writing and decided they would be better used helping people in need. “The food pantry is a wonderful, rewarding experience. It makes you feel like you’re really doing something to help others,” she said. When her two grandchildren visited, she took them to the food bank, which was an eye-opening experience for them. She feels that it is never too early to learn about helping others.
At FPC, Vicky has been a deacon, Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader, is an overnight volunteer for Family Promise and member of the Women’s Spiritual Exercise Group. Vicky has discovered her passion is hunger and homelessness, and she hopes other people will find and follow their own pas-
sion to get involved and make a difference – whether with this or any other area of need in the community.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering or learning more about the food bank or the task force on homelessness may call Vicky at 681-5332, or visit the food bank’s Web site at www.sandalwoodfoodbank.com.
“In Matthew, Jesus said ‘What you do for the least of these you do for me,’ ” Vicky said. “That’s the philosophy I try to live my life by.”
