PE teacher Sharon Williams, right, leads morning exercises before classes start at Bells Elementary. (The State photo by Tim Dominick) |
How does the countywide program work on a daily basis? First, of course, you have to have buy-in. Hollerman explains that now when children arrive at Bells Elementary School in the county seat of Walterboro, "They go straight to the gym and walk laps before heading to classrooms. Worshipers at Power of Faith Delivery Ministry harvest collards as well as souls, and fried chicken is discouraged at church dinners. The local farmers market has a sparkling new home and a system set up to accept cards from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program," formerly known as food stamps. The "Let’s Go, Eat Smart" program and exercise programs are posted in schools, workplaces, grocery stores and churches.
So, if the numbers aren't clear yet, how to measure impact? Well, a recent church supper had only one fried-chicken basket, and the member who brought it ended up apologizing for her breach. On the day the reporter visited only the elementary school only one child in the first grade tried to slip through without selecting a fruit or vegetable. He was sent back and grabbed a plastic container of grapes from the Go (instead of the Slow or Whoa) food options, Hollerman reports. There are also anecdotes galore, including those of children no longer on insulin.
South Carolins's BlueCross BlueShield recently awarded another grant to "Eat Smart, Move More," to continue the work in Colleton County and expand it to other communities. (Read more)
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