Non-Profit Expanding Service in Southside Spartanburg Food Desert
Spartanburg, located in the southside region of South Carolina, has found its food desert problem escalating since the closure of the beloved Piggly Wiggly store last year. The absence of the store left the neighborhood without an accessible source of fresh, affordable foods.
However, a glimmer of hope emerged when a non-profit organization called Sustaining Way, dedicated to promoting food security, decided to expand its operations in the region.
Creating a Beacon of Hope through Food Distributions
Sustaining Way, initially founded in Greenville’s Nicholtown community, decided to extend their services to southside Spartanburg last year. Their goal is to tackle the crippling food security issue that has plagued the city, particularly its low-income minority communities.
The organization recognizes the plight of seniors in the city who often confront a heartbreaking choice between paying bills and buying food. To tackle the problem, Sustaining Way has been conducting food distribution events on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month, providing a reliable source of fresh groceries to the community.
Aided by volunteers, these food distribution events ensure that every corner of the city, including senior homes, have access to fresh produce. According to Executive Director Michael Brown, the organization has become “a literal beacon of light for the community”.
Expanding with Community Gardens and Food Prep Classes
The popularity and demand for Sustaining Way’s food distributions have grown over the past year. Bolstered by this success, the organization is now planning further expansion. By collaborating with the Daniel Morgan Technology Center, they aim to support the establishment of backyard gardens and raised garden beds specifically targeted at senior citizens.
Michael Brown expressed optimism about the idea, stating that many older community members have traditional cooking skills that they can leverage when provided with fresh produce. For community members less confident in their cooking abilities, Sustaining Way will provide food preparation and demonstration classes.
Brown added: “We know that our gardens at individual homes are not the majority of what a family will consume, but it can do something considerable.”
City Support in Addressing the Food Desert Issue
In acknowledgment of the severity of the food desert issue in the southside, the City of Spartanburg and the Mary Black Foundation had invested $900,000 to establish the Piggly Wiggly store in the region. Following the store’s closure, city officials continue to explore alternatives to address the food security problem, demonstrating a continued commitment to resolving this pressing issue.
While we wait for further developments, Sustaining Way’s initiative serves as a crucial lifeline for the southside Spartanburg community residents.
