The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation (SHWF) and the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ) have announced $121,700 in grant awards to the following organization. The grants come from the permanently restricted Salem Health and Wellness Fund at CFNJ.
Meals on Wheels of Salem County was awarded a grant in the amount of $100,000 to assist senior citizens and disabled residents in receiving home delivered meals. Funding will provide support to alleviate the waiting list currently being experienced by the organization. Poor nutrition status, including both under-nutrition and over-nutrition, can affect immune function. Food security and good nutrition are linked to improved health outcomes both directly and indirectly. “Proper nutrition is needed to increase absorption of medications, reduce side effects, and maintain healthy body weight, stated Peg Marshall, executive director of MOWSC. Good nutrition reduces the risk of or helps manage some of the most costly chronic diseases to treat.”
The YMCA of Salem County has received a grant for $21,700 to support its Y-Fit program. This program works with disabled residents and their caregivers with a two-pronged approach providing health and wellness opportunities for people with disabilities and their caregivers while providing specifically designed group balance and strength training classes, cardio group classes and aquatic group exercise. “This program, now in its third year, has seen many successes with disabled individuals who participate on a regular basis,” stated Vern Simonelli, associate director, YMCA.
The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation is pleased to partner with Meals on Wheels and the YMCA as they continue to serve the needs in our community.