In Spartanburg County’s community of Enoree, the legacy of the cotton mills still lingers. For decades, the mills were the heart of the community, providing steady employment and a sense of identity. However, as the mills began to shut down, the town faced significant economic challenges. Jobs were lost, and the community had to adapt to a new reality. Amidst these changes, ensuring the well-being of the community’s children became a priority, leading to innovative solutions to combat hunger and provide support.
A unique initiative by Spartanburg County School District Four aims to have no child go hungry. The summer program is eliminating food insecurity in the district when kids are not in school. Born out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, this grab and go summer feeding program provides non-congregate meals for children to take home. Available to all children 18 years or younger not enrolled in a daily meal program like summer school, this initiative addresses a critical need in a community still recovering from economic shifts.
Reaching the Community
The program operates through several sites, including churches and schools. These locations were strategically chosen based on the community’s needs and the willingness of local churches to get involved. “The churches reached out to me and it’s worked out…I mean, it’s worked out well,” said Audra Terry, Director of Dining at Spartanburg County School District Four. Social media has played a significant role in spreading the word. “At the younger grades, there were letters sent home in book bags, but it’s mostly been social media and I sent emails internally to all staff and they’ve shared the word,” added Audra.Serving Hundreds
The grab and go sites serve a substantial number of families. “We are serving non-congregate meals to 450 to 500 children a week,” said Audra. This distribution includes five breakfasts and five lunches per child each week, adhering to USDA’s nutritional guidelines. Moreover, volunteers from local churches play a crucial role in the distribution. “We pack the meals at Woodruff Middle School. Jeff Taylor with Taylor Boy Produce loads ’em all up and distributes to each church,” said Audra.Stories of Impact
The impact of this program is deeply felt within the community. One volunteer recounts, “There was one father who had lost his wife and he had twin girls. And so he needed, I mean, he really needed the help.” Another touching story involves a family whose only vehicle broke down. “I took their meals to them at the end of the night every Wednesday.” One particular anecdote shared by a volunteer speaks volumes: a family had to choose between paying their water bill and buying groceries. The meal program eased this burden, allowing them to pay their bill and feed their children.Addressing Challenges
The program has faced its share of challenges, particularly in ensuring they have enough food without over-preparing. “There’s always a concern about having enough. We try to prepare. We’ve not run out. But that’s our concern because you don’t want to over-prepare and have waste,” said Audra. The program’s success is gauged by the increasing number of families served and the positive feedback from the community. “I’ve had a lot of thank yous. I’ve not had any negative feedback from the community.”Advice for Other Districts
For other districts looking to implement similar programs, the advice is clear. “I would suggest that they look at the community as a whole and find out what works best for their community,” advises Audra. “We’ve had success because we’ve involved the local churches, we’ve used social media effectively, and we’ve listened to the needs of our families. The district is not making a lot of money, but it’s serving the community. That’s our goal. If the district’s goal is to serve their community, this is an easy program to operate,” said Audra. Another recommendation is to pursue grant funding to support the summer program. For instance, the Spartanburg 4 School District received a No Kid Hungry summer non-congregate grant to aid in implementing the non-congregate meal distribution. The funds were utilized to purchase packing boxes for meal items, rent refrigerated trucks, and acquire hand trucks to facilitate the transport from packing areas to distribution sites. In Spartanburg 4 and other school districts, the grab-and-go meal site stands as a testament to community spirit and the collective effort to ensure no child goes hungry, providing not just meals, but hope and support to families in need.