MARION, SC – For years, Marion County has topped the charts in unemployment rates and high poverty levels, leading to hunger in some parts of the area. One man is trying to combat that hunger with a new initiative.
Scott Collins wears many hats. Softball coach, art teacher, preacher, and community activist are all titles that keep him busy, but it’s his most recent project that helps fill the bellies of hungry children.
“I can’t always explain why some of the kids don’t have food. Nobody should be going to bed hungry, and for me it’s a great feeling to know we’ve been able to take part in that child’s life,” said Collins.
That part is through his new program called “Backpack Buddies”. It calls on groups around the Pee Dee to collect food items to pack in backpacks for needy children in Marion schools.
Collins says he and other teachers in the district noticed several students who did not get enough food to eat during the weekends, and they decided to do something about it.
“We believe that we need to invest in this community, and it’s not going to get any better if we’re not making investments in the lives of these children,” said Collins.
Now, they are not alone.
Eight churches in Marion have joined Collins in his effort to help feed the hungry with their vacation Bible school programs and children at Marion Presbyterian Church say this is an opportunity to give back to students just like themselves.
As children gather for meals at vacation Bible schools around the Pee Dee this week, they’re reminded while they may have food to eat, others in the community do not.
McLain Roberts is attending Bible school at Marion Presbyterian this week and she says she was excited to pick out items for Backpack Buddies.
“It makes me feel good because I know that I’m helping somebody. I don’t know who it is, but that doesn’t really matter. You just know that you’re helping someone who needs help,” said Roberts.
Roberts says she knows that the food she brought will make a child who needs it very happy.
“I think it will make them feel really good because they’ll know they are being cared for like they should be,” said Roberts.
Collins says he plans to continue to reach out to groups around the Pee Dee and hopes to soon expand this project to schools in other districts.
If you would like to donate to Backpack Buddies, you can drop off items at Friendship Baptist Church of Gresham or Marion Presbyterian Church.
