2026 Charities

Backpack Buddies of Bluffton and Hardeeville

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Who We Are

​A high percentage of children in our schools are food-deprived, especially on the weekends and in the summer when they are not in school to receive free breakfast and lunch. Backpack Buddies provides multiple programs to help bridge the food gap.

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What We Do

• Weekend Bags: Shelf-stable food sent home with students facing food insecurity.

• Schools Served: Bluffton area elementary, middle and high schools (e.g., Bluffton ES, Okatie ES, River Ridge Academy, Bluffton MS/HS, May River HS).

• Produce Program: Monthly fresh-produce bags added to the standard bag program beginning in late 2024 (oranges, apples, carrots, broccoli, etc.).

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​​Greater Bluffton Jasper County Volunteers In Medicine

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Who We Are

​Provide free medical care—with an emphasis on preventive medicine and health education—to the uninsured who live or work in Greater Bluffton or Jasper County, delivered compassionately and professionally by volunteers.

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What We Do

• Clinical Care: Primary and preventive medical services for uninsured adults meeting eligibility criteria (residency/work in area, income limits, no Medicare/Medicaid/VA).

• Clinic Locations & Hours: Bluffton and Ridgeland clinics serve patients on set day/evening schedules and coordinate with partners (e.g., Pregnancy Center of the Lowcountry).

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