Giant Food has awarded $35,000 in microgrants as part of its first annual Ward 8 Healthy Living Microgrant Program, which supports a variety of programs in Washington D.C.’s Ward 8 community. The funds will be split among 16 organizations that support Ward 8 with nutrition knowledge, access to healthy food, financial literacy, and healthy living.
The recipients were selected through an application process and chosen by a formal committee at Giant. The microgrants will be used by the organizations to further their efforts to educate around health and wellness through hosting classes, workshops and programs, and cover necessary funding for needed materials to make their goals a reality.
"With Giant's presence as the only full-service grocery store in the Ward 8 community, we know we have a responsibility to the community to serve as a partner in helping to improve the health and wellbeing of its residents," said Jillian Griffith, Giant Food's dedicated nutritionist for Ward 8, in a statement. "I'm so excited for Giant to partner with some of the real movers and shakers in Ward 8 who understand the needs of the community and are truly making a difference through the work of their organizations. I look forward to us reaching even more individuals and families throughout the ward through the selected programs of the microgrant recipients.
Recipients of the micro-grants include Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics, and Agriculture, Ward 8 Education Council, Freshfarm, Mamatoto Village, Family & Friends of Incarcerated People, Everybody's Juice, Community College Preparatory Academy PCS, Health Equity & Anti-Racism Team of the DC Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, ATEF FIT LLC, Black Xcellence Prep, Seasoned Settlers, SoBelt, Anacostia AMP Outreach Empowerment Center, Egyptami Wellness, The Wright Family Foundation, and The Kitchen Physician.
"We are proud to be a recipient of the Giant Ward 8 Healthy Living Microgrant," said Tambra Stevenson, MPH, founder and CEO of Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics, and Agriculture, in a statement. "The generous support from Giant demonstrates its commitment to investing in our communities by empowering everyday food 'sheroes' and strengthening the power of sisterhood and self-care around kitchen tables that can pivot their health and wellness and their families."
Related: Giant Food Removes Midweek Delivery Fees, Minimums; Giant Food Offers Local Produce Boxes.
Image: Giant Food