A local food pantry recently announced that it received a very generous monetary gift from PCS Phosphate Co., Inc, and through the donation and those similar, it has tackled several projects throughout the year.

Eagle’s Wings food pantry, which provides food to over 5,800 families each year through support from local citizens, churches and businesses, received the donation from PCS recently, said Ann-Marie Montague, executive director of Eagle’s Wings. PCS has made contributions to the Washington-based food pantry before, but this time, Eagle’s Wings decided to illustrate its appreciation by presenting Ray McKeithan, manager of public and governmental affairs with a plaque, commemorating the company, Montague said.

“This isn’t the first time PCS has donated money to Eagle’s Wings,” Montague said. “When they made this recent donation, we felt we really needed to do something to acknowledge it. That’s why we had a plaque created to recognize their generosity.”

Montague said Beaufort County continues to be a Tier-1 county with a high poverty and unemployment rate. The over 100 volunteers assist the small staff at the food pantry in providing the necessary manpower to make its mission possible, a mission that Montague says aligns with PCS’ mission.

“Our mission at Eagle’s Wings is to alleviate hunger in Beaufort County,” Montague said. “Our mission and the mission of PotashCorp are perfectly aligned to assist our county’s citizens in their quest for basic human needs.”

McKeithan echoed Montague’s comments and spoke about Potash’s contribution to the food pantry, as well as the correlation in the two entities’ missions.

“We are excited to assist Eagle’s Wings as they expand options for those in need. They help meet essential food requirements for many families and individuals. Ann-Marie and the many volunteers are well organized and treat all who visit with compassion, dignity and care. Our mission at PotashCorp is to help feed the world. Our support of Eagle’s Wings is another way to extend our commitment to food security everywhere.”

Montague said Eagle’s Wings has earmarked several projects throughout the year, many of them having been accomplished through contributions like that which Potash made. Among the projects are: acquiring a “new to Eagle’s Wings,” used forklift to replace a 35-year-old forklift that recently “died;” expansion of the freezer and walk-in cooler to be able to accept more fresh produce and meat items; replacing one of the older cargo vans used to deliver food to homebound clients within the county; building repairs and renovations that will enable them to continue to serve clients for many years to come; obtaining a generator to ensure coolers are up and running during storms and disasters; and many other items that impact Eagle’s Wings services, Montague said.

“Our missions really do match each other and compliment each other well,” Montague said. “That is, partially, why they’ve been so generous to Eagle’s Wings because we’re in the same business — to provide food for people. You see them doing a lot of good things in the community. They give back.”