Upstate Giving, Oct. 5, 2020

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Fifth Third Bank opens branch with Loaves and Fishes check

During Fifth Third Bank’s grand opening on Sept. 30, Greg Charmichael, bank president and CEO, presented a $12,000 check to food security nonprofit Loaves and Fishes.

The group delivers food that would otherwise be wasted to partner organizations to distribute to Greenville citizens in need, according to a news release.

“We are honored to be able to support the amazing work of Loaves & Fishes of Greenville with this donation,” Tommy Lloyd, regional retail executive and senior vice president of Fifth Third Bank, said in the release.  “We recognize that the need has never been greater and we must all come together during times like these to serve the most vulnerable in our communities.”

Business leaders launch ‘Real Men Wear Pink Campaign’

To raise money for breast cancer research, 27 business leaders in the Upstate will be donning their pink for the month of October. Each participant accepts a fundraising challenge and will compete for a place as the top fundraiser of the event.

“This program is an incredible way to bring awareness not only to breast cancer research, but to the overall strides the American Cancer Society is making in our communities,” Chuck Villa, CEO of Jadex and campaign chair, said in the release. “I am proud and humbled to serve as chair for our Real Men Wear Pink campaign of Greenville, and I look forward to witnessing all of  our Real Men coming together for such an important cause.”

This year’s candidates include Villa, Carlos Avila of GroupSense, Stan Biulege of Novolex, Brian Boughner of Parallel Financial, David Carter of Apogee Therapy Center, Allen Clardy of The Clardy Law Firm, Bobby Daugherty of Old Europe Greenville, Taylor Davis of NHE, Ben Ebel of Michelin, John Harkes of Greenville Triumph Soccer Club, Jefferson Harralson of United Community Bank, Julio Hernandez of Clemson University, Josh Hudson of Smith Hudson Law, Roy Janse of DJ Financial Group, Wendell Jones of Changing your Mind Ministries, Craig Lambert of Creature Comforts Veterinary Resort and Suites Inc., Sheriff Hobart Lewis of Greenville County, Bill Love of Earth FM, Todd Mackin of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, Shaun Malin of HRP Associates, Ross McIiwain of Infinity Marketing, Brian Miles of GE, Frank O’Brien of TD Bank, Chuck Saylors of M.B. Kahn Construction, Thomas Simmons of Reedy Fork Baptist Churck, Forest Thomas of Top Flite Staffing and Bo Wood of the Cliffs.

McCall Farms donates million servings to Upstate foodbank

Effingham-based McCall Farms, the maker of Margaret Holmes and Glory Foods, donated more than a million servings of canned goods to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte, N.C. and MANNA Food Bank in Asheville, N.C.

Second Harvest of Metrolina and its 800 partner agencies operate 14 counties in North Carolina and 10 counties in the South Carolina Upstate and Midlands, according to a news release.

"Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina is so grateful for the amazing support being provided by McCall Farms," Kay Carter, CEO of the food bank, said in the release. "This donation will feed so many hungry children, seniors and families across a large part of North and South Carolina."

USC student starts free clinic at Grace Church

A Navy ensign and medical student at the South Carolina School of Medicine has rallied together doctors, nurses and other medical professional to launch a free, monthly medical clinic at Grace Church.

Fernando Gonzalez, a native of San Diego who was drawn to Greenville after attending the Citadel, decided to launch the service on Saturdays since other free clinics in the city are only open during the week, which can create a challenge for those who work during the week or have transportation barriers, according to a news release.