Our origins
Forged By Michael Shemtov + Team Butcher & Bee
Starting with the essentials
Pay It Forward Charleston began as a collaboration between farmers, restaurants, and community members who united in an effort to feed food and beverage workers during the COVID-19 crisis.
With every $10 donated, a Charleston community member received a grocery bag filled with goods purchased at a discounted rate from local farms. The donations created income for farmers who were impacted by restaurant closures in the wake of COVID-19 and provided fresh produce to community members who were out of work.
In all, Pay It Forward raised $100,000 and delivered over 11,000 bags of groceries to the food and beverage community from March - September of 2020, working in collaboration with Feed the Need Charleston. Riding a wave of community support, the program was expanded to serve three area shelters before it was wrapped up that fall.
Growing beyond groceries
With the success of original provision assistance and an outpouring of community support, the founding team knew there was an opportunity to do more. Pay It Forward Charleston expanded efforts to include grant-giving and now offers individual support in addition to food-based relief. Ongoing programming addresses individual and community needs in a timely and hospitable manner, supporting the people that make Charleston’s great food community possible.
Partners with a Purpose
Check out the valuable partners who help make Pay It Forward Charleston a reality.
- Cru Catering
- Cutting Boards for a Cause
- Carolina One Real Estate
- Red Clay Hot Sauce
- Home Team BBQ
- Palmetto Breeze
- The Post and Courier
- Charleston Wine and Food Festival
- Le Creuset
- Andrew Cebulka
- Off Track Ice Cream
- Storey Farms
- Limehouse Produce
Board Members & Staff
Carrie Larson, Executive Director
Michael Shemtov, Board Chairperson
Flo Languell, Treasurer
Board Members:
JA Moore, Jai Jones, Marie Stitt, Steve Palmer, Tara Pate
Founding Members
Michael Shemtov, Tara Pate, Drisa Lamb, Flo Languell, Beth Walton, Josh Kleiger, Steve Boyer, Todd Anis
Special Thanks
Mickey and Ellen Bakst of Feed the Need, our original 501(c)(3) partner.