The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation and the Community Foundation of New Jersey announced four grants awarded to local municipalities totaling $80,000 through the New Jersey Healthy Communities Network.
The municipalities are Elmer Boro, Elsinboro, Pennsville and Quinton Townships. These municipalities will be part of a state-wide cohort of 66 organizations representing a cross section of nonprofit, school, and government organizations.
The New Jersey Healthy Communities Network is a coalition of six funding organizations supporting communities in increasing healthy eating and active living. The funding collaborative includes the Salem Health and Wellness Foundation, New Jersey Department of Health, Atlantic Health System, Partners for Health, New Jersey Health Initiatives, and New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids.
Projects funded by the Foundation in Salem County will work to create or extend current walking paths, improve healthy options at concession stands, conduct walk/bike/food audits, work with local eateries to offer healthy options on menus, make improvements to the built environment and creating an after-school program that promotes physical activity.
“The Foundation is excited about the projects put forth by the municipalities,” stated Brenda Goins, executive director. “Working on policy, systems and environmental change is not easy and takes commitment. We are seeing this commitment in our municipalities.”
In addition to funding, grantees are assigned a coach, receive technical assistance, and are evaluated on the impact of the organization’s work.
To learn more, be a partner, or join the funding collaborative, visit www.njhcn.org or email . Or contact the Foundation at .
View the NJ.com press release.