MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — Each month, ABC15 presents someone in our community with the Carolina Champion Award, an award given to leaders who inspire extraordinary action.
This month’s recipient is truly a woman on a mission, making sure no one in her community goes without their basic needs being met.
Sam Tate began her career path studying to become a dietitian. Part of her internship led her to an organization that truly captured her heart.
“I love it here,” she said. “I love the volunteers. I love helping our neighbors. I get super excited when we get a big donation, because I know it’s all going to somebody else. It’s not for me, and so it’s really, it’s a very rewarding job.”
Sam is now the pantry coordinator and operations director for Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach, an organization that has been serving the Myrtle Beach community for over 50 years.
They help their neighbors meet their immediate, short-term needs for items like rent, utilities or food.
“Food insecurity is such a big deal in Horry County,” Sam stated. “It’s one of the largest counties in the state, and it has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the state of South Carolina. And there’s a lot of people that are in need of food, and we can offer fresh produce and whole grains, and not a lot of people have access to that, and it’s expensive to eat healthy sometimes, and we can offer healthier options for free.”
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It’s a need that Sam has seen skyrocket over the past few years.
“June of last year, we served 420 households, and in July, we served 780, and then it continued to go up,” she added. “In October, we hit over 1000 households.”
Because of that need, Sam hit the ground running when taking over the position a year ago.
“In November of last year, we became a USDA pantry,” said Sam. “Which means that we get federal funds, a federal grant for food through Feeding America and Low Country Food Bank for free food that we now pass on to our neighbors. And that helps to supplement when our donations are running low.”
What may seem like a monumental task to many is all in a day’s work for Sam. It’s the personal connections she makes that keep her motivated.
“She saw all the food that she got to take home, and she got upset, and she got teary-eyed, and gave me a big hug, and was super grateful,” shared Sam. “And, it’s stuff they don’t have to pay for. It’s one less stress in their life. And so, yeah, that’s pretty rewarding.”
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Another rewarding part of Sam’s job is getting to help neighbors care for the needs of their furry family members too.
“The first thing that happens when they enter a crisis is, oh, I’m either going to feed my family or I’m going to feed my dog,” she responded. “And so, instead of them surrendering their dog, we have food for pets. And so, they don’t have to worry about that. They don’t have to stress about surrendering their dog or their cat.”
No matter the need, Sam and the crew of volunteers and staff at Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach strive to meet it. She said that all you have to do is ask.
“Asking for help is the hardest thing,” she exclaimed. “It’s the hardest thing in the world. But everybody has to give themselves some grace, and everyone needs help every once in a while, and we try to make it as least painless as possible. We try to make it super easy, and we’re willing to help anyone.”
Helping Hands is always looking for volunteers and donations.
Their 3rd annual gala is also later this month on Sep. 25, and it’s their largest fundraiser of the year.
Go here to learn more.
