New partnership tackles hunger, homelessness in Columbia

Harvest Hope Food Bank has taken over daily meal preparations at Transitions, one of the biggest resources for Columbia’s homeless.

Harvest Hope, the Midlands’ largest food bank that serves 20 counties across the state, is now preparing hot meals for up to 600 homeless people daily.

The Salvation Army for the past 13 years has provided those meals. Harvest Hope helps fill the gap at Transitions, which provides a residential-style shelter, meals, job training and some health services.

“You have to be able to feed people,” said Transitions CEO Craig Currey. “… And you really need to feed them three meals a day.”

It is unclear why the Salvation Army partnership ended. Calls to the Salvation Army were not immediately returned.

Harvest Hope at the time was looking for a way to expand its mission. 

“We had been really looking and wanting to open a production kitchen,” said Harvest Hope CEO Erinn Rowe. “It allows us to feed people in a different format, with hot meals, and that type of service.”

Up to 600 hot meals will be served daily to a large portion of the city’s unhoused population at Transitions’ location on Elmwood Avenue. The meals are designed to be both nutritious and satisfying.

Transitions feeds its 260 residents three meals a day and another 70 or so people who aren’t residents at breakfast and lunch, Currey said.   

“Three hot meals a day lift morale,” Currey said. “It helps people start worrying about things like getting a job, instead of just surviving.”

Chef Robbie Long, formerly with Embassy Suites, is bringing her culinary expertise to the shelter. 

“She’s able to take these ingredients and create really healthy, nutritious meals in a low cost way,” Rowe said. 

Another goal is fostering a sense of dignity for those experiencing hardship. 

“This partnership is a game-changer for those struggling in our community,” said Columbia resident Maddux Harrell. “Knowing that people at Transitions will have access to nutritious meals every day gives them more than just food — it gives them hope.”