A Message of Gratitude

To our friends, supporters, volunteers, and community partners:

More than twenty years ago, a group of friends gathered for a birthday celebration in Mauldin. Instead of gifts, they asked attendees to bring canned food donations for a local food pantry. What began as a simple act during the Christmas season became the foundation of an organization dedicated to helping children in our community who faced food insecurity.

From that first “Christmas in Mauldin” gathering grew The Knollwood Foundation.

Over the years, your support allowed us to help school backpack programs that provided food for children who might otherwise go hungry on weekends, holidays, and school breaks. Together, we raised funds, collected food, increased awareness, and made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless young people and families.

Today, we announce that The Knollwood Foundation has formally ceased operations.

The Foundation is no longer accepting donations, and all remaining funds have been distributed in accordance with our mission, purpose, and governing requirements. We are proud that every dollar entrusted to us was used to advance the cause for which the Foundation was created.

This decision was not made because the need has disappeared. Unfortunately, food insecurity remains a very real challenge for many children in our community, but over time, a number of outstanding local nonprofit organizations have expanded their efforts and now provide many of the same services and support that inspired The Knollwood Foundation’s creation. We reached a point where our efforts were increasingly overlapping with those organizations, and we concluded that continuing our operations would dilute resources and attention that could be more effectively concentrated through established community partners.

We believe the best way to continue serving children is to encourage support for the organizations that are actively carrying this work forward today.

We remain convinced that no child should have to wonder where their next meal will come from, and that school should never be the only place a child can count on receiving food. We encourage those who share our concern for children facing food insecurity to support the many local nonprofits, churches, schools, food banks, and community organizations that are working every day to ensure children and families have access to nutritious food when they need it most.

Most importantly, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who made this journey possible.

Thank you to every donor who gave a financial gift.

Thank you to every volunteer who donated time and energy.

Thank you to every business, church, civic organization, and community partner who supported our efforts.

Thank you to every person who attended an event, donated food, spread the word, or believed in our mission.

The Knollwood Foundation existed because of your generosity.

While this chapter has come to a close, the spirit that created The Knollwood Foundation, a belief that neighbors should care for one another and that children should never go hungry, lives on.

With sincere gratitude,

The Knollwood Foundation