Greenville Volunteers Assemble 8,000 Sandwiches Amid SNAP Crisis

Volunteers in Greenville, South Carolina, united on November 5, 2023, to prepare an impressive total of 8,000 pimento cheese sandwiches as part of the 4th Annual Sandwich Day. This effort, organized by the nonprofit food hub Feed & Seed, along with Duke’s Mayonnaise and VisitGreenvilleSC, seeks to address food insecurity amid a critical funding crisis affecting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The sandwiches are set to be distributed to local food banks, schools, and shelters, providing essential support to those in need. This year, the event was coupled with a food drive that collected non-perishable items, diapers, and formula, further extending the community’s outreach during a challenging time.

As the ongoing government shutdown threatens SNAP benefits for over 550,000 South Carolinians, the urgency of the situation has escalated. The state faces a financial gap of approximately $1 million to fill in November alone. According to Governor Henry McMaster‘s office, the establishment of the One SC Fund aims to mobilize private donations to help bridge this gap. The fund is part of the state’s emergency response system, encouraging community support during this crisis.

On November 3, a glimmer of hope emerged when the Trump administration announced the release of contingency funds to cover half a month’s worth of benefits for current SNAP recipients. This decision followed rulings from two courts mandating the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expedite the release of much-needed funds. Nonetheless, uncertainty remains for the 20,096 households in Greenville County that rely on these benefits each month.

“This event has always had a big impact,” said Mary Hipps, a spokesperson for Feed & Seed. “But I do think this year there’s more awareness. With the holidays approaching, providing for these families allows them to allocate resources for other essential needs.”

At Judson Mill, 180 volunteers donned plastic aprons and hairnets, enthusiastically assembling sandwiches. The atmosphere was lively, with music playing and trivia questions being shared, fostering a sense of community among participants. Many volunteers, including Nicole Swinson from the Aloft hotel, return each year for both the charitable cause and the friendly competition of sandwich-making.

“It’s great to give back, but we also enjoy the challenge,” Swinson noted, highlighting the dual motivation behind the effort.

According to Adam Jennings, destination experiences manager with VisitGreenvilleSC, the event underscores the pressing issue of food insecurity, which often goes unnoticed in the Upstate region. “This event is very timely,” he stated, reflecting on the heightened awareness surrounding the SNAP funding crisis.

For those looking to contribute further, donations to the One SC Fund can be made through the Central Carolina Community Foundation’s website. An interactive map detailing food banks and distribution centers eligible for grant funding is also available, encouraging continued community involvement in addressing food insecurity in Greenville and beyond.