Hilton Head program rescues vacationers’ unused groceries to fight hunger

by Mackenzie Baker

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — A South Carolina nonprofit is asking Hilton Head Island vacationers to donate unopened, nonperishable food before they head home, turning would-be leftovers into help for local families.

Second Helpings is hosting its fourth summer of the “Post‑Vacation Food Donation” program. The effort collected nearly 6,000 pounds of food last year, according to the organization, and delivered those items to food pantries on the Island.

Executive Director Amy Colin says food waste remains a major problem and that rescuing usable food can make a real difference.

Colin says about 40% of food produced goes to waste. Year-round, Second Helpings works to rescue food that might otherwise end up in landfills and redistribute it across Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties.

How the program works

During the summer tourist season, Second Helpings partners with businesses visitors already frequent—including hotels, rental agencies, and even a Starbucks—to set up donation bins for unopened, shelf-stable items.

One participating partner is Island Time Hilton Head. Co‑founder Drew Brown says the company also leaves bags in some rental properties so guests can set aside unused groceries when it’s time to leave.

“When people come in, the first thing they typically do is go to the grocery store. And when they buy that food, they may not use it all for the week. A lot of times that got left, and again, we would try to distribute it where we could. And now, this is a great program that does that all the time,” said Brown.

Colin says the program is also a simple way for repeat visitors to give back to the community.

“You have tourists who come for generations, and they love it here, and we want Hilton Head to look like this for many years to come. And in order to that, we are asking tourists to just be conscious of there’s an opportunity here to give back and keep food out of the landfills,” said Colin.

What you can donate

Second Helpings says donations must be:

Unopened
Nonperishable
Not requiring refrigeration

Accepted items include canned goods, snack foods, dried pasta, rice and cereal.

The organization says donated food is delivered to local pantries on Hilton Head Island, including Sandalwood Community Food Pantry, the Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head, St. James Baptist Church and more.