Photo by Grace Beahm

Bob Doran (left) and Johnny Pundt unload the mobile 'House of Hope' on Wednesday with a supply of food for the Star Gospel Mission.

The donated goods arrived in the mobile "House of Hope," a pickup truck fitted with a wooden camper top that resembles a house. The house was decked out with holiday lights and there was a Santa Claus figure atop the chimney.

Smoke billowed from the chimney as the arrival of the donated goods was heralded by three tuxedo-wearing men singing Christmas carols.

The carolers, who call themselves the "Black and White Trio," are Chis Collins, Will Goss and Conner Watkins. They are 2008 graduates of Wando High School. Goss and Watkins are sophomores at the University of South Carolina; Collins attends Clemson University.

They sang Christmas favorites such as "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Joy to the World," to the group of Star Gospel Mission residents and passers-by that had assembled to watch the festivities.

After the singing, volunteers began unloading the truck, carrying in canned goods, hams, pumpkin pies and 10 pounds of gourmet coffee.

It was enough food to provide six meals for 25 residents, said Matthew Crooks, Star Gospel Mission's manager and cook. The mission can house 25 people, but it had only 20 residents on Wednesday, Crooks said.

"I like to think it's because people are staying with family during the holidays," he said. Just two weeks ago the mission was full, he said.

Tracy Doran, president of the Humanities Foundation, said the coffee was donated by Charleston Coffee Roasters. She also said Mike King of Mount Pleasant had donated cash to help buy the food, and the rest of the funds were provided by the Humanities Foundation.

The Humanities Foundation, established in 1992, develops affordable housing. Since its founding, it has made nearly 1,000 units available to low- income families and individuals, Doran said.

The Star Gospel Mission, founded in 1904, provides food, clothing, shelter and spiritual guidance to people in need.