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Drop by the Health 1st Wellness Wednesday table from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 19 in the Children’s Hospital lobby to get information on volunteer opportunities, advice on how to organize a food drive or how to donate to the Lowcountry Food Bank. Lowcountry Food Bank collecting healthy items The Lowcountry Food Bank's (LCFB) mission is to feed the hungry of 10 coastal counties of South Carolina by soliciting and distributing healthy food and grocery products to nonprofit agencies serving the poor, and by educating the public about the problems of and solutions to domestic hunger. Through its network of more than 300 emergency food providers, the food bank serves low-income children, families and the elderly in coastal South Carolina, which includes Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, and Williams-burg counties. The LCFB provides more than 8 million pounds of food each year.   The LCFB serves more than 154,000 people annually through its regional food centers in Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Yemassee. Seventy-five percent of LCFB clients report incomes below the official federal poverty level. Forty-six percent of clients served by the food bank report having to choose between food and utilities or heating fuel; 32 percent have to choose between food and their rent or mortgage; and 36 percent chose between food and medicine or medical care. Thirty-one percent of households report having at least one household member in poor health.   The food bank relies on a minimum of 15,000 volunteer hours a year. All volunteers go through an  orientation  which includes a formal introduction, tour of the facilities, and complete a Volunteer Information Form. The LCFB utilizes volunteer assistance in agency relations, reclamation and warehouse, administration, and childhood hunger programs.   Every year, more than 120,000 pounds of food are donated to the food bank through community-based food drives. Join in giving this holiday season by supporting a food drive sponsored by MUSC’s Division of Finance and Administration. Bring in foods such as canned fruits and vegetables, cereals, whole wheat pasta, etc.   Barrels will be set up Dec.17, 18 and 19  in the Children’s Hospital lobby; Room 203, Parking Garage 1; Harborview Tower, Human Resources office; Harper Student Center; Rutledge Tower; and Family Medicine (Calhoun Street). For information call 747-8146. Editor's note: The preceding column was brought to you on behalf of Health 1st. Striving to bring various topics and representing numerous employee wellness organizations and committees on campus, this weekly column seeks to provide MUSC, MUHA and UMA employees with current and helpful information concerning all aspects of health.     Friday, Dec. 14, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.