Take a Bite Out of Hunger and Save on Zoo Admission during Toucan Tuesdays

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Columbia, S.C. – Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is excited to partner with Harvest Hope Food Bank for the return of Toucan Tuesdays. Beginning Tuesday, June 6, guests visiting Riverbanks will receive buy-one get-one admission to the park and buy-one get-one ICEEs with a donation of two cans (or bags and boxes) of non-perishable food items.

Toucan Tuesdays will take place 10 consecutive Tuesdays through August 8. Donation bins will be located at both the Zoo and Garden entrances. There is no limit to the number of Tuesdays guests can donate to take advantage of discounted admission.

“This time of year is the perfect opportunity for families to get outside and enjoy the outdoors together, but for many of our neighbors, especially children, it’s a time when hunger is experienced the most,” said Erinn Rowe, CEO of Harvest Hope Food Bank. “We’re so excited for our yearly partnership with Riverbanks Zoo and Garden to help bring awareness to food insecurity in our state and bring in food donations for our neighbors who are struggling to put food on the table.”

Harvest Hope’s most needed items include canned vegetables, canned proteins like chicken and tuna, one-pound bags of dried beans, and one-pound boxes of pasta. The goal this summer is to collect 5,000 pounds of food, which would equate to about 3,900 meals.

In 2022, the generosity of Zoo guests generated nearly 1,900 pounds of food for Harvest Hope. The promotion had to be shelved in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-related restrictions but has brought in a total of 44,646 pounds of food since the partnership began in 2010.

Toucan Tuesdays will take place every Tuesday, June 6 – August 8. The promotion applies to general admission rates only (purchase one admission and get the second for equal or lesser value free; Explorer wristbands and Riverbanks’ memberships are not included).

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 nearly 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 conservation. 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.