Story told by: Nick Gibson

Some veterans who have served our country need help with their daily needs. 

Each year, the American Red Cross assists more than 240,000 military and veteran families by leveraging a network of volunteers across the country and around the world. 

In 2024 alone, the American Red Cross of South Carolina has provided more than 7,000 case services to military veterans, and their families. 

Denise Teasdell, Red Cross of SC Director of Service to the Armed Forces, was presented an idea from a local Greenville school about how they wanted to help veterans through a canned food drive.  

“The classrooms were having a competition. When they reached out to us, they thought they were going to have about 500 canned goods,” said Denise. “Since the classes got really competitive, it just started growing.” 

Christ Church Episcopal School (CCES) started collecting canned goods for local veterans in January. Within a month, the school had collected 2,681 canned goods. 

This very huge number allowed CCES students to receive a certificate from the Red Cross of SC for their hardwork and dedication.

Max Schmoll-Nassar who is a high school student at CCES and helps volunteer with the Red Cross says he helped put this idea together.  

He adds that the students who donated these canned goods were much younger than him. 

“My school is K-12. In the elementary school, we thought that would be the perfect place to have a canned food drive,” said Max. We were really blown away by the number of donations.” 

Max says it really meant a lot to him that these students wanted to help and give back to veterans and military members. 

“For me, it’s just a wonderful experience being able to share something that we thought was just for high school students to a much younger generation,” said Max. “I really thought their efforts were incredible and it really gave me hope.” 

All of these canned goods were collected, and driven to the Ralph H. Johnson VA in Charleston for veterans. 

Denise says this food will go back for a good cause. 

“What they do is they make care packages that they give to veterans each day,” said Denise. “They also have volunteers that work at the VA that take those packages to veterans that may be unhoused.” 

Not only do veterans struggle with food insecurities, but military members and their families endure this often.  

“Whether you’re active duty or a veteran. We have veterans that come in to not just Ralph H. Johnson, but to Fort Jackson looking for food,” said Densie. “It’s gotten to the point where medicine is so high, they have to decide if they are going to pay for medicine or buy food. The good thing about the food pantry that we are offering our service members and veterans is they really don’t have to make that choice.” 

Learn more about Red Cross Services to the Armed Forces and how you can get involved by visiting redcross.org/saf.