Video on the cause and efforts of the Lowcountry Food Bank

Update March 2: If you couldn't make it to the event and don't know about the mission of the Lowcountry Food Bank, check out the video up top.

It will give you a good sense of the group's effort's and cause. If you'd like to help out by donating food, funds, or time; head here.

First reporting: The Lowcountry Food Bank's 12th Annual Chefs' Feast gala will be held this Sunday, February 27, at the Embassy Suites Charleston Area Convention Center. This formal event aims to raise $180,000 to fund their childhood hunger programs, Kids Cafe and BackPack Buddies.

Sadly, one in four children in coastal South Carolina goes to bed hungry. To combat this, Lowcountry Food Bank (LCFB) operates the Kids Cafe and BackPack Buddies programs. Students that have been identified by school counselors or teachers as not having sufficient access to food at home participate in these programs. Kids Cafe is an after school program that provides children with a hot and healthy meal, as well as academic assistance. The LCFB currently operates 12 Kids Cafe programs.

The BackPack Buddies program provides children relief from weekend hunger. Many children arrive at school on Monday morning starving and have difficulty focusing. Participating children receive a backpack filled with nutritious food each Friday to take home over the weekend. This helps to lessen the adverse effects hunger has on learning. The LCFB currently implements the BackPack Buddies program at 49 different schools throughout their ten county service area. The purchase of a single Chefs' Feast ticket can support a child in one of these programs for an entire school year.

Chefs' Feast draws on the culinary talents of the lowcountry's top chefs, and brings them together for an evening of indulgence, as guests make their way around the chefs' stations, sampling their delicious fare. Communications & Special Events Manager, Hollis Tuma, explains, "This year's event has exceptional participation from the culinary community -- a record 29 acclaimed lowcountry chefs will be preparing food. All particpating chefs donate their food and their time for the event, which we are extremely thankful for!"

Because of the generosity of the chefs and other sponsors and partners, the LCFB is proud to share that 95% of the ticket/sponsorship sales will go directly to the benefitting programs. A limited number of tickets are still available. Individual tickets are $175, and tables of 10 can be purchased for $2,000. The gala is black-tie optional, and will run from 6-9:30 p.m. As guests dine and drink (at an open bar), they will be entertained by the Ray Michaels band. The LCFB will also share a presentation on fighting childhood hunger.

To purchase tickets, visit the event's site, or call (843) 747-8146, ext 105. The Embassy Suites is also offering a special rate of $99 for Sunday evening, February 27. To make reservations, please call (843) 747-1882 and mention Chefs' Feast or make reservations online and enter the group/convention code "Chefs' Feast."

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