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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – The Charleston Area Justice Ministry selected food insecurity as its priority focus for 2025 after hundreds of members voted during the organization’s annual community problem assembly Monday night.
The decision came after nearly 80 listening sessions where residents shared stories about systemic challenges facing the community. Ministry members representing nearly 40 congregations chose from three top issues: food insecurity, transportation and homelessness.
“Charleston has to be a place for everyone and not just people in certain tax brackets,” the Rev. Dr. James Keeton Jr., a testifying member, said.
Testifiers said food insecurity has reached its highest level of need in the Lowcountry since 2012. The recent government shutdown and loss of access to SNAP benefits influenced members to consider rapid response funding for the issue.
The ministry’s president, Joy Smith, said the organization relies on multiple funding sources to support its work.
“We rely on grants. Also, each church gives a percentage of their budget to the CAJM budget and we also have individual investments. We don’t call them contributions, we call them investments. We’re investing in our community to make it better,” Smith said.
The ministry will now compile research and data, followed by the presentation of its findings to local officials on April 27.
The group has previously succeeded in convincing Charleston County to establish an $11 million affordable housing trust fund. Leaders hope to receive similar funding for their chosen focus area.
Arthur McFarland, a member of the ministry, said affordable housing was among the top choices because “it touches so many people. I mean it touches those who work but can’t afford to pay their rents. They can’t buy housing. It touches young people who gone away, gotten an education, came back, can’t afford to rent, must live with mom and dad.”