Samaritans to have ‘big food’ for the hungry

Randy Burns / The Item The Rev. Eddie Thomas and the Good Samaritans for All People distribute food, some of it grown by Thomas himself, to the needy in Lee, Sumter, Clarendon, Kershaw, Darlington, Florence, Chesterfield, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties.

By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com

BISHOPVILLE - For 15 years, the Rev. Eddie Thomas and the Good Samaritans for All People have been distributing food, clothing, school supplies and household items to the needy in Lee, Sumter, Clarendon, Kershaw, Darlington, Florence, Chesterfield, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties.

For the past eight years, Thomas has found a way to enjoy a hobby that benefits the people he is committed to serve.

Don’t be surprised if among the food given away this summer will be tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, bell peppers and cabbage grown by Thomas himself on a two-acre site on Elmore Road in Lee County.

Thomas said he began having a garden about eight years ago when he moved to Lee County.

“Before that I was moving around so much, I didn’t have a place where I could have a garden,” Thomas said. “I do it mostly as a hobby. I love experiencing and seeing vegetables grow.”

And Thomas admits he makes an effort to grow the big varieties of vegetables.

“I like to growing them big,” he said.” I learned everything from my father. He had his special remedies. And that’s what he called it - remedies.”

Thomas already has some bigger than average tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers and cabbage from this year’s garden that he’s been sampling himself. He’s also been giving away to family and friends.

“Most of what I grow though will end up given by the Good Samaritans in our giveaway programs,” he said.

Thomas is planning a food giveaway in August, he said.

While the Christmas program is the organization’s first and best known project, the Good Samaritans also reach out to fire victims, nursing home residents and the needy at Thanksgiving. An annual school supply program provides instructional materials and supplies to various area schools.

“Right now we’re getting ready for our school supplies giveaway,” Thomas said. “We ask people to donate paper, pencils, notebooks or money.”

The Lee County Fire Station No. 1 on East Church Street and Bishopville Tire Co. on South Main Street are local drop-off sites for the Good Samaritans

Anyone interested in donating money to the Good Samaritans is asked to contact Thomas at (803) 428-4448.



Contact Staff Writer Randy Burns at rburns@theitem.com or (803) 491-4533.