Pumpkin spill off Ravenel Bridge may reduce donations from Mount Pleasant church

A pumpkin spill off the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge last week has impacted the pumpkin supply for Hibben United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant, according to The Post and Courier.

An 18-wheeler truck hit a low-hanging tree limb while exiting the bridge toward Coleman Boulevard on October 15, causing the trailer to rip open and pumpkins to fall out. Locals took many of the spilled pumpkins, leaving less than a quarter of the truck's inventory for the church's pumpkin patch.

Hibben United Methodist Church has operated its pumpkin patch for 25 years, donating a portion of proceeds to local nonprofits such as Meals on Wheels, East Cooper Habitat for Humanity, Delancey Street Foundation, and Kairos Prison Ministry. The pumpkins are supplied by Pumpkins USA and paid for based on gross sales, but the church does not have to pay for the lost pumpkins.

The church aims to sell $48,000 worth of pumpkins to retain 30 to 40 percent of the funds for donation. Due to the reduced inventory from the spill, the church may not be able to meet this threshold and could donate less than usual, according to Amanda Moore, the church's children’s and communications director.

As of October 20, the church was assessing the impact of the spill on its pumpkin patch sales and potential donations to local nonprofits.