Four local non-profit organizations are the recipients of $24,000 in 2009 Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) Community Grants from the Arroyo Grande Community Hospital (AGCH). The grants were handed out at a special breakfast at the hospital on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. CHW and its member hospitals jointly administer these grants annually.
The recipients of the 2008 Catholic Healthcare West grants from Arroyo Grande Community Hospital are:
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Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County, $5500. The funds will go to two “fronts” at the food bank: “Healthy Food Makes People Healthy” project, where the food bank works to help meet the needs of children at risk of poor nutrition while not at school, and the “Harvest Bag Program” of weekly distributions of nutritious food to low-income individuals and families which takes place at Soto Field in Arroyo Grande each Wednesday morning, serving up to 300 families. All of the food is free to recipients.
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Arroyo Grande High School, $9000. The money goes to “Healthy Start for Teens” which focuses on teaching teenagers of Arroyo Grande High School healthy eating habits, diet, nutrition, and appropriate exercises to help them lose weight in the healthiest ways. The hope is that the program will help them to successfully accomplish their required physical fitness exams.
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Five Cities Meals on Wheels, $4000. This program prepares and distributes meals to those who are either completely or partially homebound. Most of the clients are seniors; however, the program does not exclude anyone. Currently there are younger people on the program who have been injured or are in poor health.
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Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County (CAPSLO), Inc., $5500. This project provides low-income seniors, ages 50 and older, with competent, convenient and free preventive and maintenance health screenings, education and referrals regarding aging and chronic disease issues. CAPSLO Health Services’ Program is the only no-cost, mobile health screening program for seniors in the county.
“Our annual Community Grants program is a great opportunity to demonstrate the commitment our hospitals and Catholic Healthcare West are making to improve the health and welfare of the people we serve,” said Rick Castro, AGCH President. “I’m pleased our hospital has awarded these monies to such worthwhile, community-oriented organizations.”
The CHW Community Grants Program is designed to help communities provide support for underserved populations. The program, which is funded by contributions from its member hospitals, is a way CHW supports and enhances the advocacy, social justice and healthier communities’ efforts of its hospitals. The program partners with other nonprofit organizations that share the CHW values and also work to improve the health and quality of life of their community members.
For more information contact Anna Scott, AGCH Media Relations and Communications Manager at 805.473.7695.
