Grantmaking
In August 2016, the Community Foundation made $2 million in grants to 20 programs designed to improve healthy food access for children and seniors, two groups most affected by food insecurity and the lack of healthy food.
The 20 programs funded reflect the collaborative efforts of 72 organizations across all seven counties of southeast Michigan.
Healthy Food Connect Local Impact Grantees:
Area Agency on Aging 1-B: $47,000 to pilot MI Senior FEAST (Friends Eating And Socializing Together), which will provide group meals in restaurant settings for the Middle Eastern population and older adults living in Macomb and rural St. Clair counties. Partners: Chaldean American Ladies of Charity and the St. Clair Council on Aging.
Coalition on Temporary Shelter: $75,000 to support the program Meal Time, Family Time, a fine dining experience featuring locally grown and healthfully prepared foods and nutrition education for homeless children and their parents. Partners: My Sunday Brunch Catering and Real Talk Counseling Services.
Detroit Area Agency on Aging: $72,000 to pilot the expanded use of existing available commercial kitchens to provide more group and home-delivered meals to seniors and to encourage intergenerational nutrition programs. Partners: Association of Chinese Americans, Restoration Towers, Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Fresh Corner Café and Precise Home Health Care.
Detroit Friendship House Inc: $31,000 to support a community garden in Hamtramck to provide access to healthy produce to children from diverse backgrounds while teaching intercultural and intergenerational collaboration. Partners: Oakland University’s Student Organic Farm Program, People’s Community Services, and Bromberg and Associates.
Eastern Market Corporation: $75,000 to pilot a youth and senior transportation program to increase participation in Market activities like Red Truck Fresh Produce and Gratiot Central Market. Partners: Riverfront East Congregational Initiative of the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Wayne State University Center for School Health.
Greening of Detroit: $75,000 to create community gardens at public housing developments in Detroit. Partners: Forest Park, Woodbridge, Riverbend and Sojourner Truth housing centers in Detroit.
Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County: $75,000 in support for increased nutritious food delivery to older adults in Washtenaw County, particularly those with health-related or religious dietary restrictions. Partners: Yad Ezra and Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels.
Macomb County: $75,000 for a fresh food mobile pantry to increase food distribution among low-income seniors and children throughout Macomb County. Partners: Macomb Community Action, Macomb County Health Department, Michigan State University Extension and the Macomb Food Program.
Monroe County Opportunity Program: $75,000 to increase healthy food access for youth and seniors across the county by creating mobile markets and a food pharmacy, initiating a Monroe County Food Policy Council, and working with farmers to expand their growing season. Partners: YMCA of Monroe County, Arthur Lesow Community Center, ProMedica Regional Hospital, Family Medical Center of Michigan, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems/ENP & Associates and Ruhlig Farms.
PACE Southeast Michigan: $65,000 to support Grow Healthy Seniors, a comprehensive educational program that includes gardening, cooking and increased access to fresh produce in the tricounty region. Partners: Elder Law of Michigan, Peaches and Greens and Keep Growing Detroit.
St. Patrick Senior Center, Inc: $75,000 for a farm-to-table strategy to improve congregate meals and encourage healthy food choices for seniors in Wayne County and to involve special needs youth in the growing of food. Partner: Rising Stars Academy.
Township of Canton: $21,000 for a transportation program for seniors and nutrition education for seniors and families. Partners: Canton Farmers’ Market, Huron Valley Ambulance and Canton Place senior apartments.
Wayne-Metropolitan Community Action Agency: $43,000 to build greenhouses and provide technical support for youth- and senior-focused community partners in western Wayne county. Partners: The Guidance Center, People’s Community Services and Michigan Urban Farming Initiative.