$525,000 in new
Health Zones funding is designed to bolster community-based
initiatives that enhance access to healthy food and comprehensive
support services
PROVIDENCE, R.I., Aug. 14,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS)
Foundation today announced $525,000
in new Health Zones funding to bolster the efforts of
Central California Food Bank's (CCFB) City Center Collaborative,
which includes CCFB's new First Fruits Market — Fresno's first FREE grocery store; Family
Healthcare Network, Fresno Mission, Central La Familia Advocacy
Services, CASA and Social Vocational Services. All organizations
are located at City Center in Fresno under one roof. This announcement was
made during the company's Project Health event at City Center,
underscoring our commitment to community health and active
involvement in addressing health barriers.
"When people have access to supportive services, it puts them in
a better position to take care of their health and well-being,"
said Sheryl Burke, Senior Vice
President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Chief
Sustainability Officer at CVS Health®. "Our Health Zones
organizations in Fresno share our
vision of improving health outcomes locally. We believe that by
working together and integrating our other community-based efforts
through programs like Project Health, we will make a meaningful
impact and improve community health here in Fresno."
With 1 in 4 people and 1 in 3 children facing hunger in Central
California Food Bank's Fresno
service area, CVS Health saw an opportunity to tailor its Health
Zones initiative in Fresno to
focus on supporting organizations increasing access to healthy food
and comprehensive support services that will help individuals take
proactive steps toward a healthier future. In addition to
supporting CCFB, the Health Zones funding will be distributed
between the Family Healthcare Network, Fresno Mission, Central La
Familia Advocacy Services, CASA and Social Vocational Services.
Each organization plays a crucial role in the company's Health
Zones mission to overcome barriers to improve community health
outcomes, such as limited access to health services, nutritious
food, workforce training and other supportive services. This
targeted funding will help bridge a critical health care and social
system gap.
"Through this collaborative, the CVS Health Foundation is
helping the incredible partners at City Center leverage food and
nutrition to connect neighbors to a wide array of community
supports that will improve overall health and well-being," said
Kym Dildine, co-CEO of Central
California Food Bank.
In addition to announcing the new grants, the company has
offered free health screenings to individuals at City Center today
through its Project Health initiative. This proactive program is
designed to offer free biometric screenings, including blood
pressure, cholesterol, glucose level and body mass index to detect
early risks of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension
and heart disease. The screenings also offer a PHQ-2 assessment to
help identify people who require additional evaluation for
depression. All individuals have an on-site consultation with a
nurse practitioner and are provided a directory of local health
care providers and resources. In 2023, CVS Health hosted 170
Project Health events in California and screened
6,977 participants, which resulted in 24,420 screenings. The
program is offered throughout the year across the country, and a
full schedule of events can be found online or through its
iPhone or Android app.
This one-stop-shop model at City Center has given people like
Cristal a new beginning and purpose. As a single mother working
towards a better life for her and her 4-year-old daughter, she
struggled to find work while balancing child care. She sought help
from Fresno Mission, who helped with job training, where she was
then eligible to apply for the First Fruits Market Workforce
Development Program. This program is a part of Health Zones and
connects Fresno Mission recovery graduates seeking a second chance
to thrive.
"Luckily, my case manager connected me with Central California
Food Bank," said Cristal. "The fact that I was given that hand up
was a blessing for me." Cristal has since gained skills in customer
service, scheduling and data entry, inventory management, and
leadership while working at the Groceries2Go site and First Fruits
Market.
It also transformed the lives of individuals like Mercy Case, a First Fruits Market neighbor, who
now cooks for her 14 elderly neighbors daily so they can focus on
their health and well-being. First Fruits Market, a vital component
of the Health Zones initiative, provides fresh and nutritious food
for free to neighbors facing hunger. Since it opened last
September, it has served 14,381 Central Valley residents. As
Mercy Case shares, 'Without this
help and being able to shop for exactly what I needed, I couldn't
buy everything I needed to make stews and pasta dishes for my
neighbors in need.' These stories of resilience and transformation
are a testament to the power of community and the positive impact
of Health Zones' collaborative efforts.
"We are excited to see these programs and services come to
Fresno County," said Fresno County District 3 Supervisor,
Sal Quintero. "Now, families can
receive health care services and not have to sacrifice other
essential needs such as putting food on the table. We want to
thank CVS Health and the Central California Food Bank in
collaboration with all the local organizations for working together
to meet the needs of our most vulnerable populations."
"As the Mayor of Fresno, I am
proud to stand alongside CVS Health and our dedicated local
organizations to announce this significant investment in our
community," said Mayor Jerry Dyer.
"This $525,000 Health Zones funding
will be a game-changer, enhancing access to essential health
services and nutritious food for our residents. In a city where too
many families face hunger, initiatives like these are vital to
creating a healthier, more equitable future. Together, we are
taking proactive steps to break down barriers and improve the
quality of life for all Fresnans."
With over 30,000 employees working across the state, in its
distribution centers, or delivering care through more than 1,000
pharmacies, dozens of MinuteClinic® and specialty pharmacy
locations, and for over a million Aetna® members, supporting
California is part of CVS Health's
commitment to build a world of health around every community it
calls home. CVS Health recently supported the Arthur @ Blackstone,
a newly opened Fresno Housing development reserved for special
needs tenants, specifically transition-age youth considered to be
chronically homeless, homeless, or at risk of becoming chronically
homeless.
About CVS Health
CVS Health® is the leading health
solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach
more people and improve the health of communities across America
through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000
dedicated colleagues — including more than 40,000 physicians,
pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever
people need us, we help them with their health — whether that's
managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications
or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most
convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system —
and their personal health care — by improving access, lowering
costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of
health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Follow
@CVSHealth on social media.
Media contacts
Courtney
Tavener
401-712-3698
Courtney.Tavener@CVSHealth.com
Monica Prinzing
831-241-8294
Monica.Prinzing@CVSHealth.com
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SOURCE CVS Health