Healthcare Foundation of Cleveland County Awards First Community Health Grant
Apr 12, 2016
The Foothills Farmers’ Market has been awarded an $11,600 foundation grant to bring an innovative program focused on childhood nutrition to Cleveland County.
Innovative child nutrition program coming in May
(SHELBY, NC) – The HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County has awarded the organization’s first Community Health Grant under its new name and expanded mission. Formerly known as the Cleveland Memorial Hospital Foundation, it is now the HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County. The board of directors revised the by-laws in 2015 to also provide grants to aligned non-profit organizations in support of initiatives that address the social determinants of health in Cleveland County.
HFCC Board Chairman Frank Beam stated, “We believe this fundamental change in our mission to now be able to award Community Health Grants represents the future direction of the foundation’s work in our community and sets a directive that we will continue to grow into one of Cleveland County’s most valuable assets to improve the health and welfare of our citizens.”
Pictured (L-R) are: Frank Beam; Chairman, HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County, Amber Brown; President, Foothills Farmers’ Market and Dick Baker; Executive Director, HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County.
The Foothills Farmers’ Market has been awarded an $11,600 foundation grant to bring an innovative program focused on childhood nutrition to Cleveland County. In making the announcement, Dick Baker, Executive Director of the foundation said, “This unique program is a perfect example of how a community foundation focused on healthcare can have a direct impact. Nothing could be more significant in improving the health of our community than programs that educate our children on the benefits of proper nutrition as the key ingredient to a healthy life.”
The Foothills Farmers’ Market is the cornerstone of Cleveland County’s rapidly growing local food movement. They provide community access to the freshest local foods available anywhere with a direct connection to more than 70 producer certified vendors. With the grant, the Foothills Farmers’ Market will begin a nationally recognized children’s program called Power of Produce (POP).
Each week when children ages 3-12 visit the Market, they will receive a $2 token redeemable for fresh produce or food based plants and have the opportunity to participate in fun activities that focus on healthy eating and active living. The POP Club kickoff event will be on Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the City Pavilion in Uptown Shelby. Registration for children is free with a guardian. Come enjoy live music, face painting with the Greater Shelby Community Theater and plant a pizza garden for your backyard! “We are thrilled to offer this exceptional program to our community, “said Amber Brown, President of the Foothills Farmers’ Market Board of Directors, adding, “A curriculum of this magnitude would not be possible without the generosity of our community partner, the HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County, and for that we are incredibly thankful.”
The Market will collaborate with local organizations to offer weekly activities that engage participants in the full farmers’ market experience: trying new foods, having conversations with farmers and buying local. Brown says weekly activities will range from cooking demonstrations to market scavenger hunts and will provide nutrition, food, agriculture, and exercise based education. Brown says, “By teaching our children to make healthy choices we hope to substantially impact their wellbeing and create habits that last a lifetime.”
The grant will be used to purchase startup equipment and supplies including the $2 token system; vigorous marketing of the POP program within the community and school system; provide participation incentives to regular attendees and groups with the highest attendance; and finance an end of season celebration.
“We are excited about this collaborative program that brings the community together to focus on the health education of our young people, as they are our future. Through participation in the POP program, not only will the children benefit, but their family will also be influenced to make healthier choices; and that is a very tangible way the foundation will have a lasting impact on our citizens,” said Baker.
Additional information about the HealthCare Foundation of Cleveland County, their grant program and other initiatives can be found on the organization’s website, www.HealthCareFoundationCC.org
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