The St. John United Methodist Church of Rock Hill’s Barber Hardin Sunday School annual class pecan sale has been going strong for 43 years. “Our class pecan sale was started in 1976 by two members of our class looking for a way to help the needy in our community. Johnny Gill and Irvin Plowden presented the pecan sale as an idea to our Sunday School class, and the class enthusiastically voted to take on the project,” explained Thomas Pilcher.
“Johnny Gill had a contact at Young’s Plantation in Florence, SC. He and Irvin presented a plan to Young’s to sell us pecans at a reduced price so that we could resell to the public at a fair market price. The class would use the profits from the sale to help local charities and families in need in Rock Hill.”
According to Thomas, the class members began to look for ways to sell the pecans. “This included selling pecans at our own fall church festival, each Sunday during the holidays in our church lobby, and by having our members contact friends, neighbors. They also asked businesses, and organizations to sell to their members and employees.”
“Through the efforts of our members and generosity of the Rock Hill community, we have raised thousands of dollars to help deserving organization, including the Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House, Bethel Men’s Shelter, Family Promise, the Free Clinic, Dorothy Day Supper Kitchen, Pilgrim’s Inn, and individual families in need of food, clothing, shelter, and help paying bills.”
“We are very happy to offer these pecans at a very competitive rate. You can find them in stores for $9.99 or $10.99 for 9oz, and we sell ours for $13.00 for a 16oz bag of shelled pecans,” said Thomas. ”This community project, an idea conceived by two men some 43 years ago, has given our Sunday school class great satisfaction through the years knowing we are giving back to our community and helping those in need.”
Background on Young Plantation Pecans
The Young Plantations legacy dates back nearly to 1920’s, when TB Young began growing in-shell pecans in the heart of the Carolinas. The Pee Dee region of SC is known for its rich soil and favorable climate and TB’s pecans were coveted for their size and texture. TB’s son, James, shelled pecans in the 1940s under the brand Young Pecan; he distributed Pee Dee pecans to grocery stores and it grew to become the world’s largest pecan shelling operation. Two decades later, they began selling pecans direct to consumer and Young Plantations was born (Young Plantations, 2019).
If you are interested in purchasing some Young Plantation pecans, Hospice & Community Care is assisting the Barber Hardin Sunday School Class by offering these delicious pecans here on our campus. We have plain bags of pecans for $13.00, and flavored offerings including chocolate, praline, and creamy white pecans for $15.00 a box.
