Michele and Jeff Herwig discovered their passion four years ago when they began cooking and serving free meals to those in need in Pawleys Island. Their mission grew, and they soon started reaching out to communities across the bridges.
Using a utility trailer transformed into a food trailer, Michele shared, “My husband and I love cooking and feeding people. We can easily serve 100 individuals, so we put our skills and hearts into serving others.”
Jeff added, “We’re not trying to earn favor with God, but we believe in doing what’s right.”
In September, their goodwill faced a setback. While parked at Pawleys Island Community Church, where they prepare meals, their food trailer was stolen early one Wednesday morning. “I was in shock,” Jeff recalled. “It felt terrible.”
Michele was heartbroken as they were away visiting family in Maryland when they learned about the theft. “I thought about the people who wouldn’t get a meal that day. We have built relationships with them, and they look forward to seeing us.”
Despite the setback, their volunteers quickly stepped up. They gathered food from their own vehicles, ensuring that meals were still offered that day. “They said, ‘We’re going to do this anyway,’” Michele said, grateful for their support. “It was a real blessing to know that the theft wouldn’t stop our mission.”
During that time, several trailers were stolen in the area, and the Herwigs’ trailer was parked in a seemingly safe spot. “You learn the hard way sometimes,” Michele said.
However, their story didn’t end there. After reporting the theft, the Herwigs reached out to the trailer’s manufacturer. To their surprise, the owner was eager to help. “He thought we were expanding our ministry,” Jeff said. The owner quoted, “What man meant for evil, God meant for good,” and offered to sell them a new trailer at cost.
Despite the generous offer, the new trailer was still more expensive than the original. An insurance payout of $7,000 wasn’t enough to cover the costs, but the church community quickly rallied around the Herwigs. The church and its members donated money, and one parishioner even volunteered to pay for the trailer himself if necessary.
“There is bad in this world, but God is bigger than that,” Michele emphasized. The new trailer is now protected with additional security measures, including a retractable bollard and a locking boot on a tire to prevent future thefts. “The church acted swiftly to ensure our new trailer is secure,” she added.
Not having the trailer didn’t stop the Herwigs from feeding those in need. They relied on their own cars and those of their volunteers to keep serving meals. “We managed to keep everything running smoothly,” Jeff said. “It’s not the same as serving from a trailer, but we didn’t let it stop us.”
Alongside their usual stops, including Baskervill Food Pantry, the Herwigs now serve in Georgetown. “We’re from Pawleys, but Georgetown is our neighborhood too,” said Michele. They’ve even connected with a trailer park that has a large Hispanic population, allowing them to share Spanish-language Bibles and for Jeff to practice his Spanish.
While meals are being served from the trailer, Michele and Jeff make it a point to connect with everyone present. They talk and pray with the people, ensuring no one feels invisible or alone. “It’s rewarding for us, but we want them to know we’re here with them, not above them,” Jeff said.
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