Alanson, Pellston school-based health centers launching food access programs

Two school-based well being facilities operated by the Well being Division of Northwest Michigan are launching applications to assist tackle meals entry for his or her college students and households.  

The Alanson Wellness Program, situated inside Alanson Public Faculty, and the Hornet Well being Heart, serving Pellston Public Faculties, have been amongst 16 applications nationwide awarded grants from a joint program by way of Share Our Power’s No Child Hungry Marketing campaign and the Faculty-Based mostly Well being Alliance.

Well being Division of Northwest Michigan dietitians Lynne DeMoor and Judi Marlin will take part in a nationwide studying collaborative and facilitate the tasks in these two school-based well being facilities.  

Thanks to those grants from No Child Hungry, entry to wholesome meals in addition to vitamin and cooking training might be expanded at each districts.   

“We’re thrilled to have been awarded the Share Our Power No Child Hungry grant in partnership with the Well being Division of Northwest Michigan,” mentioned Stephen C. Seelye, superintendent of Pellston Public Faculties. “Our obligation is to teach the entire little one. Guaranteeing our college students have entry to wholesome meals and be taught abilities and habits that can guarantee they stay a wholesome and lively life-style is as important as their educational success.” 

Rachelle Prepare dinner, Alanson Public Faculties superintendent, expressed her appreciation for the grant and work by the well being division.

“We’re excited to have a school-based pantry and improve the entry that our college students should wholesome and nutritious meals,” Prepare dinner mentioned. 

Faculty-based meals pantries for college kids might be established at each places. Funding from No Child Hungry will assist buy refrigeration models for protected storage of contemporary fruit and veggies.

As well as, by way of neighborhood partnerships, cooking and vitamin lessons are being provided to show college students fundamental cooking abilities with an emphasis on together with greens and fruits and low-cost protein sources.   

“By means of these grants and studying community, school-based well being facilities will work to supply examined meals entry interventions that may be built-in in preventative care to handle meals wants of households earlier than starvation turns into a disaster,” mentioned Sarah Mills, well being methods supervisor for Share Our Power.