Local YMCA partners with Golden Harvest to help neighbors with free food

GRANITEVILLE, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - South Carolina’s new SNAP restrictions, which began Sunday, are in their first week, and local food banks are adjusting to the change.The restrictions are part of the state’s Healthy SC initiative, which aims to instill healthier eating habits in people who receive SNAP benefits.A long line of cars stretched through the parking lot at the Aiken YMCA on Wednesday for a free food giveaway. So many people showed up that YMCA employees started handing out food half an hour early.“The impact, I don’t even know how many cars we’ve serviced so far, and they’re still out there. And so the need is out there in the community. And so we’re trying to fill that gap,” said Samantha Whittaker, executive director of the Aiken YMCA.The YMCA partners with Golden Harvest Food Bank to distribute food supplies to families in need. The giveaway came days after new restrictions took effect for SNAP recipients in South Carolina, eliminating sugary items such as candy, soda and