For many of us, there's a breakfast spot we remember from our childhood: a favorite diner, a familiar chain, or even a fast-food stop. Mine is Sugar & Spice in Spartanburg, but my family had a few places on our list of regulars. For us, eating out was a way to save time and stay connected amidst busy work schedules. We weren’t going for fancy meals–just affordable, comforting staples we could count on. So when I saw the news in recent months about some restaurants charging extra per egg due to the national egg shortage, it brought back those childhood memories. And I thought about how something as small as an egg could quickly become trouble for families with little financial cushion. It turns out, the bird flu has devastated the poultry industry, with over 145 million chickens culled since 2022 to stop its spread. The result? Egg prices have soared, hitting $4.94 per dozen this past spring with continued predictions of higher prices. For many, that’s just another inconvenience. But for the 42 % of households in South Carolina that can’t make ends meet , it’s yet another hit to a fragile budget. The rising price of everyday food items is just another hurdle for ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families with income above the Federal Poverty Level but less than the cost of essentials. ALICE works hard, often at more than one job, and still falls short. In fact, in South Carolina, a family of four with two adults working as a full-time personal care aide and stock worker/order filler, which are two common jobs, earns about $12,144 less than what’s needed just to cover basics like groceries. And it’s not just certain jobs. Across our state, more than one third of workers in the 20 most common jobs–cashiers, cooks, personal care aides, stock workers–live in households that can’t afford the basics and are forced to make sacrifices just to get breakfast and other meals on the table. That’s why we do what we do at United Way of the Piedmont. Our mission helps ALICE families gain financial security and keep them from slipping into poverty over something as simple as a rising grocery bill. Because for too many families, it’s not just an extra few cents per egg. It’s another crack in the fragile foundation they’re trying to stand on. When I think back to those Sugar & Spice outings with my family, I remember more than the food. I remember the warmth of the restaurant, the kindness of the wait staff who always seemed to know our orders, and the sense of normalcy it gave us in often uncertain times. That’s what stability feels like. That’s what we’re fighting for. Together, we can make it happen. Start by exploring the data at UnitedForALICE.org/SouthCarolina to learn more about ALICE families in our community. Then, join our efforts at United Way to help build a brighter, more stable future for ALICE and all families. Nicole Collins is a former AmeriCorps VISTA Member and serves on United Way of the Piedmont's Brand Experience Committee.

Each year, United Way of the Piedmont presents the Morgan Award to a donor who exemplifies the spirit of its inscription: “One Who Cares.” This year, United Way is proud to honor Board Member Reed Brown whose quiet strength and unwavering commitment have made a lasting impact on our local community. Reed is not one to seek the spotlight, but his actions speak louder than words. Whether through his professional work or personal generosity, Reed consistently demonstrates what it means to lead with heart. His dedication to Cherokee County is evident in many ways, from helping establish the Benjamin E. Mays Family Resource Center to opening the doors of Brown Packing for supply drives and encouraging his employees to engage with United Way. Together with his wife Suzanne, Reed leads by example as a United Way of the Piedmont Tocqueville Society donor. When Hurricane Helene struck, Reed was among the first to respond, ensuring immediate needs were met. His service extends across many organizations, including KNOW(2)’s Education Taskforce, Girl Scouts,, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Gaffney Rotary Club. Reed embodies the spirit of community stewardship. He believes in the power of his workplace to make a difference and continually finds meaningful ways to give back. Leaders like Reed ensure more families have the resources they need to thrive and help our community grow stronger every day. United Way presented Reed with the award at their annual Leadership Reception on October 2. After receiving the award, Reed shared, “As I look around at all of you...who care so much about what is good and honorable and just and right, me being described one who cares among this group is an honor beyond measure. All of you make it easy to care, because I want to be like you.” United Way extends its congratulations to Reed Brown. His leadership reminds our community of the profound impact one person can have when they truly care.