Fallon Community Health Plan announces 2010 Community Benefits Grant recipients
Grants awarded to community-based programs that support children, seniors and improved access to good nutrition
Worcester, Mass., October 7, 2010 ― To help address the needs of a growing senior population and the increasing challenges related to food insecurity, Fallon Community Health Plan today announced the recipients of its 2010 Community Benefits Grants.
FCHP awarded more than $95,000 in grants to support innovative, community-based programs aimed at improving access to good nutrition and promoting physical activity, and providing health and social services for seniors. In addition, eligibility for grants was expanded to include health and social services for children during the first five years of life, rather than in the first three years of life.
Grants have been awarded to the following organizations:
- Partners for a Healthier Community, Inc. and Square One (Springfield): A combined grant of $40,000 for Square One’s Launching Healthy Habits program, which trains early educators and care providers in healthy food preparation and preschool nutrition ($35,000), and to support the expansion of Partners for a Healthier Community’s Farm to Preschool and Families program ($5,000).
- Regional Environmental Council, Inc. (Worcester): A grant of $25,000 to help sustain the expansion of the organization’s Food Justice Program and provide services to more Worcester residents.
- Franklin County Home Care Corporation (Turners Falls): A grant of $10,500 to support its Sustaining Meals on Wheels for Homebound Elders program, which is working towards a long-term solution as well as helping raise public awareness of available programs for seniors in the community.
- Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts (Westborough): A grant of $10,000 to support its Falls Prevention Program, which helps educate and empower older adults to reduce their risk of falls and increase physical activity levels.
- Massachusetts Audubon Society (Worcester): A grant of $10,000 for its “Let’s Go!” program for middle school students that will promote physical fitness through participation in hiking and other outdoor exploration activities.
Every year, Fallon Community Health Plan awards Community Benefits Grants to new or existing programs that serve the targeted populations in Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, northern Plymouth and Worcester counties.
“Collectively, these organizations are working across the state to help our communities overcome issues of growing concern—nutrition, food security and physical activity,” said Kate McEvoy-Zdonczyk, Senior Director of Government and Community Relations, FCHP. “We know that through these grants, these chosen organizations will continue to make a difference in the lives they touch and in the communities they serve.”
For more information, contact:
Christine Cassidy
Senior Director of Corporate Communications
508-368-9502
christine.cassidy@fchp.org
About Fallon Community Health Plan
Founded in 1977, Fallon Community Health Plan is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit health care services organization. From traditional health insurance products available throughout Massachusetts for all populations, to innovative health care programs and services for independent seniors, FCHP supports the diverse and changing needs of all those it serves. FCHP has consistently ranked among the nation’s top health plans, and is the only health plan in Massachusetts to have been awarded “Excellent” Accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance for its HMO, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid products.