Non-Profit Expands Service in Southside Spartanburg Food Desert

In Spartanburg, South Carolina, the non-profit organization, Sustaining Way, is expanding efforts to combat the community’s food desert status that occurred following the closure of the area’s Piggly Wiggly grocery store.

A Beacon of Light

Since the store’s closure, the community, particularly its senior residents, has relied on Sustaining Way and their bi-monthly food distribution events. These distributions have been held on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month, providing a variety of fresh produce to Spartanburg’s southside residents in partnership with NAACP Spartanburg Branch and Greater Spartanburg Divine 9.

Michael Brown, Executive Director of Sustaining Way, commented on the initiative saying, “It really has been literally a beacon of light for the community.” The organization’s impact has gone beyond merely supplying food, with volunteers also assisting in the delivery of these resources to nearby senior homes.

Progress and Expansion

With the problem of food insecurity persisting, Sustaining Way has planned for future expansion. The non-profit has set their sights on constructing backyard gardens and raised garden beds specifically catered towards the seniors in the community with the aid of the Daniel Morgan Technology Center.

The objective of this expansion is to empower individuals within the community by providing a sustainable and accessible source of fresh produce. Brown expressed his optimism about the program, highlighting that seniors are adept at utilizing fresh produce as it resonated with their traditional cooking methods.

For those less familiar with food preparation, Sustaining Way has also decided to offer food preparation and demonstration classes. Despite the fact that these gardens will not be able to cover the full nutritional needs of a family, Brown is confident they will significantly benefit the community.

Addressing Infrastructure and Future Improvement

Prior to Piggly Wiggly’s closure, the City of Spartanburg and Mary Black Foundation had invested $900,000 into bringing the store to the southside. The money is now under dispute as city officials are planning to send a demand letter to store owners requesting a refund, in order to reinvest it back into the community.

Conclusion

Sustaining Way’s initiative is an important step in addressing the food desert situation in Spartanburg’s southside. Though it’s a challenging endeavour, the non-profit organization’s efforts exhibit significant promise. Through the collaboration with community organizations and education centers, the community hopes to embrace a more sustainable and healthier lifestyle.

With their vision of creating local gardens, they not only aim to provide a solution to the immediate problem of food scarcity but also empower the residents to actively participate in the growth and development of the community.