21-03-2025
Everyday Hero: A meal and so much more
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) — Tonight, we head to Summerville for a meal and so much more. This week's everyday hero is in Flowertown.
The concept for Meals on Wheels is pretty simple: deliver meals to the homes of people who need them.
The reality is that the volunteers who do this mean so much more to the people who receive this kindness and generosity.
I witnessed just 'how' much on a recent trip to Summerville.
A typical morning starts at St. Paul's Anglican Church, where hundreds of meals are prepped three times a week. This morning, News 2's Brendan Clark rode with Erica Brusseau, who has volunteered for the past five years.
'Oh my gosh, it's the best part of my week, honestly,' Brusseau said.
Brusseau is just one of 250 Meals on Wheels volunteers in Summerville.
The volunteers bring more than just meals. It's their smiles and conversations that mean the most to the people they serve.
'You know, the meals are certainly important and I think it's a critical part of how they get through their days and their weeks, but I also think that the bigger part is how you can provide that connection,' Brusseau explained.
To make this happen, Summerville volunteers drive thousands of miles.
Last year, the team logged 51,000 miles. It's not just the miles, though.
Nearly 125,000 pounds of fresh food was prepared, packed, and distributed, over 70,000 meals delivered, 23,000 volunteer hours logged, and over 33,00 welfare checks completed in 2024.
As the demand for service grows, so does the cost of food.
'Our meals that we purchase from Lowcountry Food Bank back in 2019 when we started that partnership were $2.15 each,' said Crystal Bovell, the executive director of Meals on Wheels Summerville. 'They are going to inflate to $3.70 in July. That is almost double.'
As a result, the organization had to reassess their budget in 2024 to figure out the most cost efficient way to move forward.
With a $350,000 budget and six part-time employees, Summerville Meals on Wheels relies heavily on donations, which are well worth it if you ask anyone involved.
'I think you just have a responsibility. If you're part of that community, you support that community,' Brusseau said. 'So, I just think that's where we are.'
'They interact with you. They love on you and they're just loving people,' said Pat Bryant, meal recipient. 'Everybody that comes is very lovely.'
Since the organization is not federally funded, it holds fundraisers to supplement its costs. The next one is the Dink and Deliver Pickleball Tournament on April 12 and 13. To learn more, click the link here.
Interested individuals can play in the tournament or be a sponsor. Call 843-873-8224 if you have any questions.
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