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Building Community Beyond Belief, Exercising Progressive Values, and Defending Separation of Church and State

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Volunteer Service

For the Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry (SHL), volunteerism is more than just doing good deeds—it’s a core value that puts our principles into action. By serving others, we strengthen our communities, foster connection, and live out our commitment to empathy, reason, and shared responsibility. Service benefits not only those we help, but also those who serve, offering new skills, meaningful experiences, connection to others, and personal growth. Our volunteers work to create a welcoming, vibrant community for non-religious people in the Lowcountry and to serve the needs of our members. But our commitment to service doesn’t stop there. Volunteerism is a core secular value, and we actively create opportunities for SHL members to make a positive impact in the broader community as well.

Last updated 2025-10-12

Regular Service Opportunities:

Service to SHL Community

SHL is an all-volunteer, member-supported organization with no paid staff. Everything we do — from planning events and building community to organizing outreach and advocacy — happens because members step up to help. We’re always looking for passionate people to plan and carry out activities, as well as those with professional skills such as accounting, web design, marketing, graphic design, social media, photography, videography, and communications. Whether you want to pitch in at an event or put your expertise to work behind the scenes, your time and talents can make a real difference in building and strengthening our community. If you’re ready to get involved, we’d love to hear from you!

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Food Distribution with Park Circle Cares

On the 3rd Saturday of the month, SHL volunteers with Park Circle Cares, a non-faith based, non-profit organization created in 2016 to assist people in the lowcountry who struggle with food insecurity. Park Circle Cares is a member agency with the Lowcountry Food Bank, and distributes 120-150 thousand pounds of food each year. What makes them unique among the many organizations working on the widespread problem of food insecurity in our community is that they only distribute healthy and nutritious foods, 75% of which is produce. Healthy dry goods and proteins make up the remainder. Sign up for the next food distribution on our Meetup page.

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Adopt-A-Highway

Once a quarter, on a Sunday morning while many are in church, we put our values into action by serving the community through our Adopt-a-Highway program. Armed with safety vests, trash bags, and a commitment to a cleaner environment, we spend the morning picking up litter and making our shared spaces better for everyone. It’s a simple, visible way to show that humanists care — and that good works don’t require a pew. Sign up for our Volunteer Network mailing list or for text notifications to be notified when the next service is announced.

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Lowcountry Foodbank

SHL is volunteering to work at the Lowcountry Food Bank, located at 2864 Azalea Dr in Charleston, on the second Tuesday of the month from 1 – 3 PM. Volunteers work in the warehouse, helping to inspect food donations, sort fresh produce, and pack food, ensuring that it is ready to be distributed throughout the community. Sign up for our Volunteer Network mailing list or for text notifications to be notified when the next service is announced.

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Sign up for our next regular volunteer service opportunities on our Meetup page.

Past Volunteer Service:

SHL Volunteers Support Two Great Community Events in One Day

SHL Volunteers Support Two Great Community Events in One Day

Saturday, June 27, 2026 was a busy day for SHL volunteers, and we couldn't be prouder of the way our members showed up for the community. While one team was representing SHL at the Feminist Magic Pride Market, another group joined other community volunteers at the...

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June 2026 Park Circle Cares

June 2026 Park Circle Cares

On June 20, 2026 nine volunteers from the Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry joined community partners today for the monthly Park Circle Cares food distribution, helping provide food and other essential resources to local families. SHL helped connect Park Circle...

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Period Pixies Packing Party Sat Jun 27

Period Pixies Packing Party Sat Jun 27

Lowcountry Period Pixies are assembling period packs for our community. at the Bees Ferry Library Saturday June 27th from 12:30 to 3:30 pm. Please join them and bring a donation of individually wrapped pads, tampons, liners or wipes, This isn't an SHL event, but we...

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Lowcountry Food Bank (June 2026)

Lowcountry Food Bank (June 2026)

We're on the wall of fame! At least one of us is. In recognition of our consistent service, the Lowcountry Food Bank added SHL to the wall of fame. A dozen of us came to our monthly shift on June 9, 2026. Diane and Lee got to do a new job: compacting cardboard...

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Park Circle Cares (May 2026)

Park Circle Cares (May 2026)

Nine secular humanists joined other regular and new volunteers from the community to distribute food to families with our friends from Park Circle Cares on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Join us on the third Saturday of every month to fight food insecurity.

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Lowcountry Food Bank (May 2026)

Lowcountry Food Bank (May 2026)

Twelve secular humanists worked along side volunteers from Boeing and the community to bag sweet potatoes at our monthly volunteer shift at the Lowcountry Food Bank on May 12, 2026. Volunteer with us at the food bank at 1 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of the month.

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April 2026 Adopt-A-Highway

April 2026 Adopt-A-Highway

On Sunday morning, April 26, 2026, nine SHL volunteers gave back to the community by cleaning litter from a local roadside.

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Lowcountry Food Bank (April 2026)

Lowcountry Food Bank (April 2026)

On Tuesday, April 14, 2026 eight humanists worked with volunteers from Pure Insurance to pack over 900 "backpack buddies"--bags of snacks that are given to school children that may not have food at home. We volunteer at the food bank on the second Tuesday of every...

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