Golden Harvest Food Bank’s Summer Harvest program is returning for its third year with expanded reach and fewer barriers for families. For the first time, the program will serve families in South Carolina, and preregistration is no longer required. 

This expansion is made possible in part by a generous $40,000 grant from Food Lion through its Summers Without Hunger program, which supports distributions across Golden Harvest’s South Carolina service area. Food Lion leadership will also volunteer with Golden Harvest Food Bank and present the check on Thursday at 9 a.m. at the Aiken Campus Volunteer Center, located at 46 Enterprise Ave in Aiken, South Carolina.

Originally launched as a pilot program in 2024, Summer Harvest helps bridge the gap for children and families during the summer months when school meals are no longer available. Through partnerships with local school systems and hunger relief partners, Golden Harvest provides food boxes for families with children ages 17 and under, filled with fresh produce, protein, and pantry staples to help prepare meals at home. 

Now in its third year, the program continues to grow to meet the needs of neighbors across Golden Harvest’s 24-county service area. Distributions will take place throughout May, June, July, and August through hunger relief partners across the region, with boxes packed at the Augusta and Aiken campuses before being distributed in local communities. Distributions will be first come, first served, and event dates will be posted on Golden Harvest’s Facebook page. 

“The summertime can be especially difficult for families who depend on school meals during the school year,” said Amy Breitmann, President and CEO of Golden Harvest Food Bank. “Summer Harvest helps fill that gap, and expanding into South Carolina means we can reach even more children and families with the nourishment they need to grow and thrive.” 

Golden Harvest is calling on the community to help make Summer Harvest possible. Volunteers are essential to packing and distributing food boxes, and individuals and groups are encouraged to sign up for shifts at volunteers.goldenharvest.org.