The Ryan Foundation donated $250K to Project Host, Inc.

Food has the power to do more than nourish. It can bring people together, create opportunities, and provide a pathway toward greater independence. In Greenville, South Carolina, Project Host uses food to address immediate needs while helping individuals develop skills that can lead to lasting stability.

In July 2026, The Ryan Foundation proudly contributed $250,000 to Project Host, Inc., supporting its mission to nourish those experiencing hunger while providing education and training for individuals who are unemployed or underemployed. Through an interconnected network of programs, Project Host combines hunger relief with workforce development to address both the immediate and underlying causes of food insecurity.

Project Host's impact reaches people throughout the greater Greenville community. Its Soup Kitchen serves an average of 40,000 free meals each year, while Cooking for Kids provides nutritious meals to children living in food-insecure households. The HostMobile extends that reach directly into local neighborhoods, functioning in part as a mobile soup kitchen and providing additional hands-on training opportunities for culinary students.

At the heart of this work is the CC Pearce Culinary School, a free six-week program that combines hands-on culinary instruction, food safety education, and employment-readiness training. Students gain practical experience preparing meals for the community and may pursue internship and employment opportunities through Project Host's social enterprises. More than 200 students have graduated from the culinary program since 2003, demonstrating how the organization uses food not only to meet an immediate need, but also to create pathways toward employment and self-sufficiency.

To learn more about the Project Host, Inc., please visit their website.
Photos from the Project Host Inc.'s website.