Golden Harvest, United Way work to eliminate barriers for families

Food bank and nonprofit expand summer meal programs across Georgia and South Carolina

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:52pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus scene depicting the blurred outlines of people picking up food boxes, with warm, soft pools of yellow, orange, and green light, conceptually representing the accessibility and community support of summer food assistance programs.Golden Harvest Food Bank and United Way's expanded summer food programs aim to eliminate barriers and ensure vulnerable families can access the nutrition they need.Augusta Today

Golden Harvest Food Bank announced it is expanding its Summer Harvest Program to South Carolina to ensure students have access to meals when school is out. The program aims to address barriers like transportation and financial strain that can make it difficult for families to access food resources during the summer months. United Way of the CSRA is also working to reduce barriers and increase deliveries to reach more families in need.

Why it matters

Many families rely on school meals for their children's breakfast and lunch, so the loss of those meals during the summer can create significant financial strain. Expanding summer meal programs helps eliminate barriers and ensures more students have access to consistent nutrition when school is not in session.

The details

Golden Harvest Food Bank is removing pre-registration requirements for its Summer Harvest Program this year, making it easier for families to access the resources they need. The food bank plans to serve around 16,000 meal units this summer, up from 12,000 last year. United Way of the CSRA is also working to reduce transportation barriers, noting that many families in the area lack the means to travel long distances to pick up food. With additional grant funding and fewer operational restrictions, both organizations aim to reach more families in need across Georgia and South Carolina.

  • Golden Harvest announced the program expansion yesterday, April 14, 2026.
  • The Summer Harvest Program will run throughout the summer months when school is not in session.

The players

Golden Harvest Food Bank

A regional food bank serving communities in Georgia and South Carolina, focused on eliminating hunger and food insecurity.

United Way of the CSRA

A nonprofit organization that works to address community needs and reduce barriers to accessing resources in the Central Savannah River Area.

Food Lion

A grocery store chain that has donated $40,000 to support Golden Harvest's summer meal program.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of families rely on school meals for breakfasts and lunches. For a family who's already having trouble making ends meet, it just makes it that much more difficult to pay bills.”

— Muehlfeld, Vice President of Marketing, Golden Harvest Food Bank

“Transportation is, you know, we all need it. And so if you've got a family who is in South Augusta and they need to get somewhere that's 16 miles away, many times that literally is impossible.”

— Burnett, President and CEO, United Way of the CSRA

“We're really excited to be able to remove the pre-registration this year. We know that it'll just make it easier for families to be able to get the resources they need.”

— Muehlfeld, Vice President of Marketing, Golden Harvest Food Bank

“We really try to reduce barriers as much as possible.”

— Burnett, President and CEO, United Way of the CSRA

“It's a great partnership with nonprofit and corporate coming together to help fill those needs for our community.”

— Burnett, President and CEO, United Way of the CSRA

What’s next

Golden Harvest Food Bank and United Way of the CSRA will continue to work together throughout the summer to deliver meals and resources to families in need across Georgia and South Carolina.

The takeaway

By expanding summer meal programs and removing barriers to access, Golden Harvest Food Bank and United Way are ensuring more students have consistent access to nutrition when school is not in session, helping to alleviate financial strain on families during the summer months.