The grant will help fund the library’s Free and Fresh Community Fridge program at several library locations

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s (RSFH) Community Investment Program has donated a $10,000 grant to the Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) that will be used to for its Free and Fresh Community Fridge program. The program distributes free fruits and vegetables at select libraries in areas of higher food insecurity and need.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Roper St. Francis as we work to continue providing this vital resource to our community,” said Kathleen Montgomery, CCPL Associate Director of Community Engagement. “This program is entirely community-funded, and support like this will help us put healthy, fresh, free food in the hands and mouths of those in need in our community.”

RSFH’s Community Investments Program provides donations to support organizations working to positively impact Roper’s prioritized community health needs. Their primary goal is to “make a difference in the lives of people, and in particular, the underprivileged in our community.” The grants are part of an annual funding opportunity targeted at community non-profit organizations with programs that focus on health or wellness.

“A healthier community isn’t possible without equitable access to affordable and nutritious food,” said Dr. Michael Moxley, vice president and chief diversity, inclusion and health equity officer for Roper St. Francis Healthcare. “We’re honored to support CCPL’s Free and Fresh program as we believe it will help provide a solid foundation of holistic health and wellness for the underserved in our community.”

CCPL’s Free and Fresh program has fridges are stationed at three library branches: John L. Dart Library (currently closed for renovations), Otranto Road Library (2261 Otranto Road in North Charleston), and St. Paul’s/Hollywood Library (5130 Hwy. 165 in Hollywood). Each fridge is stocked with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables thanks to donations from community partners, as well as people in the community, who can drop off fresh fruits and vegetables at any of the fridges during the library’s operating hours. Any food items in the fridges are free and accessible to the public with no advance registration or sign-up required.

“Take what you need, leave what you can,” said Montgomery.

If you would like to help support this program, please consider making a donation by dropping off fresh fruits and vegetables to the St. Paul’s Hollywood or Otranto Road library. You may also make a financial donation on our website.

This program further expands CCPL’s efforts to promote food literacy across Charleston County. In partnership with the Lowcountry Food Bank, CCPL has been providing free after school snacks for children at several library branches through the Kids Café program, Charlie Cart cooking programs, and Summer Feeding, which is also in conjunction with a partnership with the Charleston County School District. The library has also partnered with the Lowcountry Food Bank in the past to distribute produce at select library locations through pop-up drive-thru events.

For more information about this and other services and programs, visit ccpl.org, contact your local library branch, or connect with the library on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.