As 2023 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to update you on the accomplishments and next steps for each of our three coalitions.

Food Security Coalition

The Food Security Coalition (FSC), our oldest and most established coalition, is rockin’ and rollin’! Currently, the FSC is comprised of eight different action circles that met at various times throughout the year to tackle their specific areas of work. The FSC held three full partner meetings that included participation from over 70 different individuals from the community and partner agencies. 

FSC highlights for 2023 include the following: 

• The Food Resource Guide relaunched with a new online platform embedded in LiveWell's website. 
• The formula bank served over 100 families who were waiting on WIC approval. 
• The Food Pantry Infrastructure Action Circle convened food assistance partners in the southwest part of the county to identify needs and then secure funding for a food donation hub in the Piedmont/Pelzer area. 
• Over 100 new families enrolled in the Prisma Pediatrics FoodShare Rx Program with the help of the Pediatric Food Resource Navigator. 
• The food insecurity rate for families served by the Pediatric Food Resource Navigator fell drastically from the time of the initial contact to the final check-in six months later. 

The FSC also collaborated with state and national organizations to advocate for the repeal of the felony drug SNAP ban, for GusNIP funding, and for Healthy Bucks approval. 



Active Living Coalition

While advocating for and improving active living opportunities has always been a part of LiveWell's work, we officially convened the Active Living Coalition (ALC) this year with a tremendous amount of support from our partners across the county. The ALC is a group of community members, representatives from partner organizations, elected officials, and staff from local government departments who are working together to create environments in which ALL people in Greenville County can achieve an active lifestyle.  

Similar to the Food Security Coalition, teams called action circles have formed and are working on specific projects recommended by LiveWell's resident advisory Health Equity Action Leadership (HEAL) Board to help the coalition reach its goals. Currently, the ALC is comprised of the following three action circles: 

1. Upstate Park Hop Program: Park Hop is a free, summer-long scavenger hunt at parks across the Upstate. This program is a longstanding initiative of LiveWell Greenville that brings together nine different parks and recreation agencies. This past summer, 1,019 individuals ages 1-18 participated, and these children and teenagers made a total of 4,666 park visits! 
2. Open Gate Project: This action circle is gathering information that will inform a communications campaign aimed at bringing more schools, places of faith, and businesses into the open use community. When a location agrees to open its gates during hours outside of usual operation, neighbors can use the existing playgrounds, green space, and/or courts and access safe, healthy places to be active. 
3. Project ACT: This newly formed action circle is working to administer the Active Communities Tool, an assessment that will provide community context for six areas: street design and connectivity, infrastructure to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists, public transportation, land use planning, parks and recreational facilities, and schools. The results of this assessment will inform future action plans. 



Health Equity Coalition

Our newer work in the health equity space focused on two main projects this year: 1) the HEAL Board, and 2) the Equity in Public Health (EPH) Initiative.

Earlier this fall, LiveWell’s permanent HEAL Board convened. This board is comprised of community members with a variety of lived experiences and expertise. HEAL Board members are meeting monthly to work towards the board’s goals, which includes specific targets related to food and nutrition security, the built environment as it relates to physical activity and connectivity, and social connectedness for all residents of Greenville County. 

The first two meetings of the HEAL Board focused on the connection between board members and our two project partners: the Racial Equity and Economic Mobility (REEM) Commission and the Hispanic Alliance. During the third meeting, the HEAL Board brainstormed the idea of hosting a health equity fair. Moving forward, the board will continue conversations around a diverse set of community action projects. 

The highlight of the year for EPH was the training taught by the Racial Equity Institute (REI) of Greensboro, NC and brought to Greenville by the YWCA of Greater Charleston. For multiple days this fall, LiveWell Greenville staff, staff of partner agencies, a few HEAL Board members, and an EPH advisory board member attended REI’s Groundwater and Phase I trainings as a commitment to better understand the history and perpetuation of racism in our country.  

Don't forget that we are selling coupon booklets containing discounts on various healthy eating and active living opportunities across Greenville County. All proceeds from booklet sales will support LiveWell's work and mission.

The Deals:

-MADabolic Greenville: Free 5-day trial 

-Takeoff Mini Golf: Buy one round of mini golf and get a second round half price 

-Kuka Juice: 20% off any one juice or smoothie 

-Soul Yoga: First class free + 15% off cost of membership and packages 

-Reedy Rides: $5 off any bike rental 

-Fleet Feet: $15 off any regularly priced purchase of $100 or more 

-Sun Belly Café: 20% off total purchase (excludes events and catering) 

-YMCA of Greenville: Join with no joining fee (*good at any YMCA of Greenville location) 

-White Duck Taco Shop: Free chips and queso or salsa trio with a minimum $20 order 

-Bridge City Health: 65% off initial consultation 

-Upcountry Provisions: 10% one entrée 

-New Balance Greenville: 1) $10 off any purchase of $100 or more, AND 2) $25 off any purchase of $200 or more 

Cost: $25

Expiration Date for All Coupons: Not until the end of 2024!

How to Purchase: Contact Director of Development and Operations Amanda Warren at awarren@livewellgreenville.org or (864) 630-2070.

Please consider supporting LiveWell's work and mission using the button below. Participate in our $12 for 12 months campaign or contribute any amount.