Help for today. Hope for tomorrow

Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.

 

 

COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic put many people out of work and forced businesses to close. The situation put communities everywhere in a difficult economic situation. Community leaders in Hilton Head Island and Bluffton teamed up to try to ease the financial burden of local people and businesses, particularly restaurants.

Help 4 Hope was founded by the Waterson Family Foundation with a mission to do three things: feed families, support restaurants, and save jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The community needed immediate support during many business closures, and an uncertain future loomed for the economic status of many businesses during the aftermath of the crisis. Hargray saw this cause as a fantastic way to help invest in Hilton Head Island and Bluffton and serve as an anchor in the community along with the Hilton Head Island- Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and other contributors.

 

 

Our Investors

The program was made possible by investors, including the Waterson Family and Hargray, purchasing "meal cards" that were good for a meal for four people at a participating restaurant. Then, Help4Hope hosted pop-up events where they distributed the cards to people in need of meals. When people redeem the meal cards, the restaurant receives $50.

 

 

Pop-Up Events

Hargray participated in four of the pop-up distribution events and witnessed the resilience and grace of our community. Many locals shared their specific situations affected by COVID-19 and expressed their gratitude for the meal card and the people making them possible.

 

 

Student Support

In addition to passing out meal cards, Hargray passed out information on Internet programs that supported remote learning for students in grades K-12 and college during the Spring semester.

 

 

Helping Families In Need

Cars lined up each day to attend the distribution, and Help 4 Hope handed out hundreds of cards until they were gone. Upon completion, the initiative supplied over 18,000 meals to families in need, and at least 45 restaurants redeemed more than $250,000.

 

 

New Business Opportunities

The Waterson Brands' next endeavor is opening the Burnt Church Distillery, a new business in Bluffton that will serve traditional and innovative spirits inspired by the Lowcountry. Learn more about https://wattersonbrands.com/ and https://www.help4hopenow.org/

 

 

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