Help Fight Child Hunger

Help Fight Child Hunger

Children should not go to school hungry or without proper clothing, shoes or school supplies.

MIssion

Making a difference, one child at a time

We support Horry County’s most vulnerable children by keeping them happy, healthy, and fed. This 100% volunteer organization relies entirely on donations to provide food sacks for underprivileged children to take home each Friday during the school year.

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help support horry county childern

Our greatest needs include: canned pasta, ramen noodles, cheese crackers, cereal, rice, granola bars, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, chicken noodle soup, pudding cups, applesauce or fruit cups, diapers, baby food, wipes, and hygiene products.

Our school children continue to need the following:

  • New Clothes: Kids’ sizes 6-14
  • Pants, shirts, underwear, socks & PJs
  • Coats, hats, scarves, mittens & gloves

Donate New Clothing

We’re collecting new clothing for our children in with a focus on winter essentials.

Walmart

Food Drive Volunteers: We need 6 volunteers every 2 hours to help during the food drive.

Lowes Foods

We collect weekly donations at Lowe’s Foods to provide essential items for children in need.

Help Fill The Bags

Donation Items Needed

  • Vienne Sausages
  • Chey Boyardee Products
  • Ramen Noodles
  • Ritz Crackers
  • Snack Packs
  • Canned Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Lance Crackers
  • Chewie Bars
  • Nutrigrain Bars
How We Started

Why do we do what we do?

After the devastation of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, our founder Barbara Mains and two friends saw the depth of local poverty… trailer parks with dirt floors, kids without shoes, families barely getting by. What started as a small act of kindness grew into Help 4 Kids, built on the belief that no effort for a child is ever wasted.

More than 30 years later, we’re still a 100% volunteer-run organization feeding, clothing, and supporting children across Horry County. Through Help 4 Kids and Backpack Buddies, we reach thousands each week, many of whom count on us as their only source of food outside of school. When kids have what they need, they’re free to learn, grow, and simply be kids.

About Us

we give the best for our children

Research shows that hunger in children leads to poorer mental and physical health, increased school absences, higher rates of behavioral issues, and reduced readiness to learn.

Program Beginnings

Backpack Buddies launched in 2004, initially serving about 300 children with food packs every Friday.

Continued Growth

Over the years, the program expanded from 3 schools to 29 schools, reflecting its success and growing need.

Weekly Reach

Today, Backpack Buddies delivers nearly 3,000 food packs each week to children in Horry County.

Our Purpose

The program provides child-friendly, self-serve, nutritious food designed to fit discreetly in backpacks, ensuring children have meals over the weekend.

Community Impact

The program has made significant strides, positively impacting children’s lives and helping to mitigate the effects of hunger.

Heartwarming Success

Parents express appreciation, and the joy on r children’s faces when receiving their backpacks is a powerful reminder of the program's importance.

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Blog & Events

6th Annual Help4Kids Golf Tournament

6th Annual Help4Kids Golf Tournament

Join us for a great day of golf, giving, and community spirit at the 6th Annual Help4Kids Golf Tournament. Your participation directly supports Backpack Buddies, our program that helps feed the children in need around Horry County. Event Details Entry: $700 per foursome Schedule: 10:00 AM registration / 12:00 PM

Date: November 6 @ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Myrtlewood Golf Club
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Volunteer Packing Food

Join Our Canned Pasta Donation Drive This Month

Barb Mains, Maria, and our team of dedicated volunteers at Help 4 Kids Myrtle Beach are on a mission this month to collect canned pasta to combat child hunger in our community. Canned pasta is an essential item that helps ensure no child goes to bed hungry. How You Can

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