WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Sturgis Area Community Foundation was awarded a $70,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund in support of expanding the fresh-food initiative throughout St. Joseph County.
The initiative currently provides fresh produce, dairy products, baked goods and meat at six community locations throughout St. Joseph County.
Under normal conditions, each distribution event typically serves up to 150 households per site, although in recent months, the program has doubled its distribution numbers.
James Hissong, grant writer for Sturgis Area Community Foundation, said in St. Joseph County, the initiative relies on collaboration between South Michigan Food Bank, United Way and multiple partners that serve as host sites for fresh-food distribution efforts.
With the grant, host sites will receive funding to cover the cost of one food distribution event per month for two years. The grant also provides additional funding to aid sites in marketing fresh-food initiative events, and provide cooking supplies and nutrition education to participants.
