Charleston, SC - Fifty local families in need will enjoy a Thanksgiving feast this year with help from the S.C. State Ports Authority Port Police's Caring and Sharing aid drive. The Port Police raised over $5,000 and distributed approximately 500 bags of groceries to struggling families in the community.
Each year, the Port Police's Good Cheer Committee contacts area school guidance counselors and asks them to nominate families that would benefit most from the Thanksgiving project. Money and non-perishable food items are donated by port employees, customers, tenants and transportation providers.
Port Police officers and staff delivered the collections to the families' homes Monday and Tuesday. Each family received gift certificates and about 10 bags of groceries including a turkey and ham and enough food to last at least a week.
The South Carolina State Ports Authority, established in 1942, owns and operates public seaport facilities in Charleston, Georgetown and Port Royal, handling international commerce valued at $39 billion annually.