FORT MILL, SC, September 15, 2026 — Young Men’s Service League Fort Mill (YMSL-FM) is excited to announce that it’s been awarded a Youth Engagement Grant from 9/11 Day, funded by AmeriCorps. YMSL-FM will donate the grant funds to Rice N Beans Ministries along with more than 350 hours of volunteer service. On Saturday, Sept. 19, the organizations will work together to package more than 50,000 meals for those experiencing food insecurity both locally and abroad in recognition of 9/11 Day and in celebration of Young Men’s Service League’s 25th anniversary.
YMSL-FM is a philanthropic organization for moms and their high school sons with 184 local members. In addition to performing community service, the program teaches young men important leadership and life skills from curriculum presented at monthly meetings. As part of its Ultimate Gift annual service project, all YMSL-FM members will help pack nonperishable meals that Rice N Beans Ministries will distribute across the greater Charlotte area and in Honduras.
“This project brings together everything we hope our young men gain from YMSL: the opportunity to serve, the responsibility to lead, and the perspective that comes from seeing how a simple act can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life,” said Tiffney Townley, president of YMSL Fort Mill. “Packing 50,000 meals alongside Rice N Beans gives our members the chance to make an immediate, tangible impact while learning that leadership is ultimately about showing up for others.”
Rice N Beans Ministries was founded in Charlotte, NC in 2011 by Daryl Sutherland as a grassroots effort to provide hot meals, clothing, and personal care items to people experiencing homelessness. Since then, the nonprofit has grown to serve 800 meals each week at four locations throughout North and South Carolina.
“Support like this makes a tremendous difference for Rice N Beans. The grant helps us put more resources directly toward serving people in need, while the hundreds of volunteer hours from YMSL Fort Mill allow us to accomplish far more than we could on our own,” said Sutherland. “We’re grateful for this partnership and especially appreciate the opportunity to work together with these young men and their mothers. Their energy, commitment, and willingness to serve are exactly what makes a partnership like this so meaningful.”
About Young Men’s Service League
The Young Men’s Service League is a 501(c)(3) non-profit national organization. Members of YMSL are moms and their teenage sons who volunteer together to serve their local communities during his four years of high school. YMSL currently represents over 19,000 moms and 17,000 young men as part of 220 chapters across 24 states, serving more than 750,000 service hours per year in their local communities. YMSL offers moms service opportunities and time together with her son(s) to grow their relationship and to instill in him a heart of service to last a lifetime. In addition to service, as part of its four-year comprehensive program, YMSL teaches leadership and life skills to develop our young men to become the capable, confident and compassionate leaders of tomorrow. www.YMSL.org
About Rice N Beans
From a grass-roots effort of a few volunteers, Rice N Beans has grown into a vibrant family-friendly non-profit organization that is passionate about helping under-served communities. What began on the streets of Charlotte has spread to multiple cities and to Roatan Island in Honduras.
Rice N Beans provides hot food, clothing, and personal care items to our homeless neighbors.
By meeting immediate needs and serving our new friends with love and kindness, we desire to give them encouragement while affirm their dignity and hope through the love message of Jesus Christ.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information on YMSL-FM
Contact: Ashley Sweren
Title, Company: Vice President of Communications
Phone: 408-807-9468
Email: [email protected]
For more information on Rice N Beans Ministries
Contact: Daryl Sutherland
Title, Company: Founder
Email: [email protected]
For more information on YMSL Ultimate Gift
Contact: Ana Restrepo
Title, Company: National VP Marketing and Development, YMSL
Email: [email protected]
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
