About Us

The Gullah Geechee Initiative Foundation, Inc. (GGIF) is a non-profit organization established in 2019 exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to undeserved communities within the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor – more specifically, GGIF creates, incubates, organizes, and facilitate programs and initiatives that promote cultural enrichment, academic excellence, health & wellness, economic empowerment, and community recreation to families living primarily on the Island of St. Helena.

As this year’s #Thanksgiving🍁 holiday approaches, the Gullah Geechee Initiative Foundation (GGIF) is excited to announce our 3rd Annual “Day of Thanks & Giving” Food Distribution! Thanks to our 2022 official sponsors; “HEALTHY BLUE SOUTH CAROLINA” “WALMART FACILITY# 6582” “SC DHEC” “PUBLIX SUPERMARKET” & “DOMINION ENERGY”, GGIF will provide a total of 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ poultry items ( Turkeys, Chickens, & Cornish Hens ) along with side-dish food items to families/individuals in need this upcoming holiday.

We would also like to thank this year’s community partners “SCSU 1890 Research & Extension”, “Tap Ultra Lounge”, “MLK Park Committee – Penn Center”, “Girl Scouts Troop 4105”, “Lowcountry Food Bank”, “​Gullah Farmers Cooperative Association”, St. Helena Masonic Lodge #4″, & “Island Grill”!

GGIF’s 3rd Annual “Day of Thanks & Giving” will be held on Saturday, November 19th at Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park (860 Sea Island Pkwy, St. Helena Island, SC). Beginning at 11:00 a.m. and ending no later than 1:00 p.m. All organizations/individuals interested in #Volunteering during this year’s food distribution are welcome to contact us!

The Community We Serve

According to a New York Times article, “St. Helena Island, is regarded by anthropologists and sociologists as one of the richest repositories of Gullah culture in the United States”. As a center of the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor, St, Helena Island is historically significant in the preservation of the Gullah culture, traditions, customs, and language. Therefore, the purpose of The Gullah Geechee Initiative Foundation, Inc. is to provide opportunities for our youth to increase their knowledge and appreciation of the legacy instituted by their African ancestors.

Program Impact

In 2019, its inception year, GGIF in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of the Lowcountry, provided a weekly after-school program at St. Helena Elementary School to 50-60 students in grades first-fifth. St. Helena Elementary School, the only school on St. Helena Island, is a Title 1 school receiving federal funds due to the large concentration of low-income students.

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