The Facts

FACTS ABOUT THE OUTREACH FARM

Q: What is The Outreach Farm and what is its mission?

A: The Outreach Farm is a 501 3 C non-profit organization established for the purpose of feeding the hungry. Our mission is to raise beef cattle and provide high quality beef and produce, at no cost, to the non-profit organizations that feed the hungry. It is the only organization of its kind in the United States.

Q: Who founded The Outreach Farm?

A: The Outreach Farm was the brain child of Mr. Michael LoVullo. Mike is a local home builder and native New Yorker who came to South Carolina via Vermont (hence the cows!). For years, Mike volunteered his time as a cook at a Homeless Mission in Vermont. When he moved to South Carolina, he saw how protein, a much needed staple, was in short supply at the local Georgetown organizations the feed the hungry.

Q: Why have this type of non-profit organization?

A: Based on a 2005 survey by the United States Department of Agriculture, over 6% of households in South Carolina have “very low food security”. That means these families were unable to sustain normal eating patterns. This percentage is the highest in the nation – well above the U.S. average of 3.8%. Furthermore, sources of protein are typically expensive and are more often absent from a limited diet. The Outreach Farm ground beef product includes all prime cuts of the cow for the best quality possible.

Q: What is the history of The Outreach Farms?

A: The farm was formed in late 2003 and started with 3 cows. With contribution of funds from a variety of sources including grants, personal gifts and fund raising activities, the farm was able to purchase more cows and essential farming equipment. With dedicated breeding, the farm now has over 100 head of cattle.

Q: Who does the farm feed and how many people have been fed so far?

A: Our growth rate has been rapid and our 3 Year Business Plan forecasts our growth will continue so that we can feed even more people.

Non-profit organizations now receiving beef from The Outreach Farm include:

  • Friendship Place – a soup kitchen at St. Cyprian’s Church in Georgetown
  • Teach My People – a community center in Pawleys Island
  • Tara Hall – a residence for boys near Hemingway, SC
  • Myrtle Beach Community Kitchen – a soup kitchen feeding the needy
  • Waccamaw Youth Center – a community center for youth in Conway
  • Crisis Ministries – a soup kitchen in Charleston
  • Father Pat’s Soup Kitchen – at Precious Blood Catholic Church in Pawleys Island
  • Mt Olive Missionary Baptist Century 21 community center
  • Street Reach Christian Homeless Shelter and Recovery Center in Myrtle Beach
  • AMI Kids
  • CASA
  • Shepherds Table
  • Teen Challenge

 

Q: What % of The Outreach Farm income goes to feed the hungry?

A: The Outreach Farm has only 1 paid employee who works full time on the farm. All additional farm and administrative work is done by 75 or more volunteers. The 15 members of the Board of Directors also serve as volunteers in specific Outreach Farm staff capacities including keeping the books, writing for grant money and holding fund raising activities. So all the funds raised go directly toward providing the food to the hungry. It is neighbors helping neighbors. In 2008, the Secretary of State for South Carolina presented the Angel Award to The Outreach Farm as one of the top ten best run charities in the state.

Q: Where is the farm located?

A: The main farm consisting of 65 acres is located in Hemmingway, SC on Route 512 – about 1 mile west of Route 41. In addition, we have leased an additional 107 acres near the Hemmingway farm for production of hay and grazing for a total of 172 acres.

Q: How big is The Outreach Farm’s budget?

A: Our annual budget is approximately $120,000. Our books have been audited by the firm of McIntyre, Zeigler & Hodges. These funds are raised through fund raising projects, grant requests and personal donations. One of our major fund raising events is a 5K race that occurs on the second Saturday in November. As with the growth of the farm, so grows the need for more and more revenue.

Q: Where can people send donations to The Outreach Farm?

A: The Outreach Farm – PO Box 644 – Pawleys Island, SC 29585. All donations are tax deductible.