Many people in our communities do not have access to the nutritious food they need. More than 54 million people are expected to experience food insecurity this year, including 18 million children.

“Some folks are worried about getting the newest iPhone, while there are folks who are worried about getting their next meal,” said Palmetto GBA Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Ken Lewis.

Lewis organized a partnership between Palmetto GBA and Oliver Gospel Mission to combat hunger this holiday season. Through the “Fill a Plate, Fill a Heart” Community Impact initiative, Palmetto GBA hopes to provide as many Thanksgiving meals as we have employees ─ at least 2,400 meals. Employees are supporting the initiative by donating toward the purchase of holiday meal boxes.

“There’s so much dignity involved with the Thanksgiving box,” said Christian Markle, Director of Development at Oliver Gospel Mission. “No parent wants to admit to their family that they can’t provide that holiday meal. Giving the dignity to those parents is a crucial part of our mission.”

Each holiday meal box provides families with more than food. “It’s a lifeline” for those experiencing food insecurity, according to Markle.

“We connect recipients with a network of organizations to give them the help they need before they find themselves in even more dire straits,” he said. “This initiative is giving people a lifeline before they fall off that cliff. We want to help people before they find themselves sleeping in their car or homeless.”

Many people have found themselves unemployed or underemployed this year and struggling to meet their basic needs, Lewis said.

“My heart goes out to them and I feel compelled to help those who are in a situation like that,” he said. “The Fill a Plate, Fill a Heart initiative is a good reminder that there are a lot of people out there who are less fortunate than us who are still struggling. My hope is that we overwhelm them with our giving.”