For Immediate Release: June 2, 2026
Riverbanks and Harvest Hope Team Up for Summer Food Drive
Columbia, SC, June 2, 2026 — Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is excited to partner with Harvest Hope Food Bank for the return of Toucan Tuesdays. Beginning Tuesday, June 9, guests who visit Riverbanks Zoo can receive buy-one, get-one admission to the park and buy-one, get-one regular-sized ICEEs with a donation of two nonperishable food items.
Toucan Tuesdays will take place on 10 consecutive Tuesdays from June 9 through August 11, with donation bins located at both the Zoo and Botanical Garden entrances. The promotion applies to general admission rates only—purchase one admission ticket and receive a second admission ticket of equal or lesser value. Explorer wristbands and Riverbanks memberships are not included.
“Riverbanks Zoo is proud to be a place where our community comes together, not just to connect with wildlife, but to support one another,” says Tommy Stringfellow, president and CEO of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. “Toucan Tuesdays, in partnership with Harvest Hope, gives families a chance to enjoy the Zoo while also helping address food insecurity across the Midlands.”
High-need donations include pantry staples such as canned vegetables, canned proteins, dried beans, and pasta. The campaign’s goal is to collect 5,000 pounds of food throughout the summer. This total would provide approximately 6,000 meals.
"Toucan Tuesdays is such a powerful reminder of what our community can accomplish when we come together,” says Sy Hughes, Interim CEO of Harvest Hope Food Bank. “By simply bringing a few nonperishable items, families can enjoy a fun day at Riverbanks Zoo while also helping neighbors in need. Each donation helps us move closer to reducing summer hunger, especially for children who are more vulnerable to food insecurity when school is out. Partnerships like this not only provide critical meals but also raise awareness and inspire lasting impact across our state."
The impact of Toucan Tuesdays continues to grow. In 2025, Zoo guests contributed 1,900 pounds of food to Harvest Hope, providing the equivalent of 2,275 meals for neighbors across South Carolina. Since the partnership launched in 2010, the community has donated a total of 52,908 pounds of food, excluding a temporary pause during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
| Toucan Tuesday Logo | | Toucan Tuesday Pictures |
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About Riverbanks Zoo and Garden: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is home to more than 3,000 magnificent and fascinating animals and one of America’s best public gardens. The Zoo opened on April 25, 1974, and for over five decades, has connected individuals, families and school children with the natural world. Riverbanks is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is recognized as a global leader in animal care and welfare, education, recreation, science and wildlife conservation. It is the mission of the Zoo and Garden to create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on wildlife and wild places. For more information, visit riverbanks.org.
About Harvest Hope Food Bank: Harvest Hope is building a hunger-free tomorrow in 20 counties across South Carolina. Rescuing food from stores that is at risk of being discarded, as well as sourcing food from the community and producers, they distribute it to local food pantries and through multiple feeding programs. These programs provide food for some of SC’s most vulnerable citizens – children, seniors, and rural residents who don’t have access to reliable transportation to grocery stores. On average, Harvest Hope provides over 20 million meals to neighbors in need across their service area. Learn more and get involved at harvesthope.org.