Winter 2026 Newsletter
Featured:
- City of Spartanburg MLK Jr. Humanitarian Award Recognition
- 2025 Highlights
- 2025 Outstanding Volunteers
- Volunteer & Job Opportunities
2026 City of Spartanburg MLK Humanitarian Award Recipients
Sustaining Way was recognized by the City of Spartanburg with the Humanitarian Award during its MLK, Jr. celebrations in January.
The award recognized Sustaining Way’s efforts around food insecurity, especially in the wake of cuts to USDA programming that provided fresh produce during weekend food distributions in South Spartanburg. Sustaining Way was also recognized for its efforts to partner with local congregations and organizations to meet the gap when SNAP benefits weren’t disbursed in November 2025.
Thank you to steadfast Spartanburg volunteers and partners such as the Divine 9 sororities and fraternities, Spartanburg NAACP chapter,
Thank you, City of Spartanburg!
Michael Brown named among Top 500 leaders in S.C.
Sustaining Way Executive Director Michael Brown was named to SCBiz’s inaugural list of Top 500 business leaders. The list highlights leaders in different industries, with Brown named as a leader in nonprofits and philanthropy. View the full list here.
Community Programs
First seedlings of 2026 find homes
Almost a dozen community members joined our Food Security VISTA, Chazmier Tyler, at Annie’s House on Feb. 7 to learn how to start seedlings in preparation for spring planting over the next six weeks. Attendees learned how to recycle materials, such as cardboard egg cartons, to house seedlings.
Have a community workshop idea? Email Chazmier.Tyler@sustainingway.com for more information.
2025 By the Numbers
Community is the lifeblood of Sustaining Way. Thank you to everyone who served alongside us in 2025. Here’s to growing and thriving in 2026!
MLK, Jr. Day of Service in Action in Nicholtown
Thank you to the YMCA of Greenville’s youth who joined Sustaining Way in prepping our Glenn Road community garden in Nicholtown for spring by weeding and installing fresh sheet mulching.
Also, thank you to those who have filled our new blessings box in front of Annie’s House at 60 Baxter St. The blessings box was installed in partnership with Kelly’s Kitchen, a national nonprofit focused on transforming lives through food
ICYMI:
You – yes, you! Logged more than 2,475 volunteer hours in 2025! More than 850 volunteers dedicated their time to weeding, sowing seeds, harvesting produce, and caring for our beloved fowl friends at Annie’s House. Your estimated economic impact tops $82,000 in Nicholtown.
Lucas Macdonald logged the most volunteer hours in 2025, totaling more than 40.
We’d also like to recognize our Q4 volunteers of the quarter: Viviana Palcios (13 hours), Brooke Pomp (24 hours), and Isabel Poinsette (18 hours)
We’ll have multiple opportunities to garden with us as we head into spring planting. We also need regular volunteers on Thursdays from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. to assist with our weekly food distribution in Nicholtown.
Come Work With Us! 🌿
Have a love for sustainability? Join us in creating a world where all neighborhoods, people, and nature thrive! Open positions include:
Sustainable Agriculture Intern
We are seeking a Sustainable Agriculture Intern to support the development
of our Spartanburg Community Garden and advance our mission through hands-on community projects. Their primary focus will be assisting with site cleanup, debris removal, and general maintenance to prepare the space for planting.
Start Date: Summer 2026
Marketing and Development VISTA
The Marketing and Development VISTA will play a pivotal role in our journey toward growth and empowerment. Their primary focus will be to enhance our marketing and development (fundraising) efforts, forging stronger relationships with stakeholders, and boosting our organizational funding. Your service will directly affect the lives of those we serve, creating a brighter future for our communities. This is a unique opportunity to use your skills meaningfully and contribute to improving Sustaining Way and our world.
Start Date: April 2026
Interested in applying? Email julia.sellers@sustainingway.com to learn more!