A Bennettsville organization has fed Pee Dee children during the summer for the last ten years.Walking Into Newness or the W.I.N Agency was created by the Sword of Truth Church in Bennettsville to make sure children get nutritious meals during summer vacation.
Natasha McClain leads the agency and said it feeds children in seven counties. Those counties are Marlboro, Dillon, Florence, Darlington, Chesterfield, Lee and Marion.
“Often times, the only nutritious meals kids usually get are breakfast and lunch at school, so when the summer months come, we provide this program so kids still have those options,” McClain said.
The organization purchases the meals, packs and delivers them to summer camps in the area. According to McClain, the South Carolina Department of Education reimburses the agency for the expenses.
“The summer food program is actually administered by the USDA, and then the Department of Education is the one that filters the program through the communities in South Carolina,” McClain added.
Last summer, the organization fed 4,000 students a day. They will start delivering meals for summer 2019 on June 10th.
“You see their parents, and they thank you for the fact that their kids get a chance to eat throughout the summer just like they were eating throughout the fall and spring. It just brings about that big accomplishment of a smile that we’ve done something good for the Lord and for them,” said Robert Christopher Brown III, Sword of Truth Pastor.
McClain told News13 the agency is currently working to feed children all throughout the year. They are also looking for sponsors and workers interested in helping out with the summer project.
Individuals interested in helping out can contact the W.I.N Agency at 843-439-2480 or find more details on their Facebook.
