How Lowcountry Strong Foundation Reaches Out to Those in Need

Business leader and executive Geoffrey J. “Geoff” Block manages the day to day operations of RLB Squared, an investment company that manages real estate and businesses such as multi-family residences, assisted living facilities, RV parks, shopping centers and strip malls. Together with his wife Kim, Geoff Block founded the Lowcountry Strong Foundation to provide support and programs that serve the less fortunate residents of the South Carolina Lowcountry region.

Fourteen months after the Block couple moved to Bluffton in 2015, Lowcountry residents were among those who were hit by Hurricane Matthew. Wanting to be of help to their neighbors, the Blocks decided to establish a fund to assist in rebuilding homes that were damaged by the hurricane. Under the guidance of Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, the fund became known as Lowcountry Strong Foundation.

Lowcountry Strong Foundation initially focused on providing disaster relief and assistance to individuals and families living in Jasper and Beaufort Counties. However, as more opportunities to help and serve opened up for Lowcountry Strong Foundation, it expanded the scope of its services to include feeding those in need.

During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, Lowcountry Strong Foundation started a special initiative called Hungry Heart Hospitality Workers Relief Fund. The first COVID-19 relief initiative established in the Lowcountry region, Hungry Heart distributed free meals to hospitality workers who were hit hard by the business lockdowns and stringent health protocols implemented to prevent the further spread of the virus.

Hungry Hearts Fund Serves Free Meals to Struggling Hospitality Workers

Outside his professional life, Geoffrey J. “Geoff” Block is an active philanthropist serving his community in Bluffton, South Carolina. Contributing to nonprofit organizations, Geoff Block and his wife are involved with charity groups including the Low Country Strong Foundation. Recently, Geoff Block participated in the launch of a special initiative called the Hungry Hearts Workers Relief Fund.

The Hungry Hearts Workers Relief Fund was created in 2020 in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Established under the Low Country Strong Foundation, the fund collected donations to help bring relief to hospitality workers who were recently terminated or were receiving reduced wages.

In collaboration with Downtown Catering Company, the fund served meals to struggling hospitality workers. Soon after the initial meals, dozens of restaurants joined the cause. The fund provided unemployed hospitality workers with special tickets for free meals at participating restaurants. The relief program succeeded in its relief efforts as well as in boosting restaurant revenues, which received over $150,000 through the fund. The program ran for three months, during which it served more than 10,000 free meals.