Frontier Farm Credit is granting the United Way of the Flint Hills money for its Blessing Box program
Frontier Farm Credit has set aside $2,000 from its Working Here Fund. The money will let the United Way buy healthier, shelf-stable options as part of current restocking efforts, which happen twice a month. United Way Community Impact Manager Maddie Craig says the need for the Blessing Boxes became readily apparent during the federal government shutdown this past fall. While SNAP benefits have returned, Craig says there is still a lot of food insecurity that’s met in part by the Blessing Boxes.
While the United Way oversees the program, there is a collaborative effort involving businesses, community groups and individuals to keep Emporia’s 13 Blessing Boxes full.
Frontier Farm Credit Regional President of Customer Experience Karla Rosell says the company values “the opportunity to help alleviate hunger in rural communities.”
Separately, the United Way’s Healthier Lyon County is detailing work ahead as part of grant funding through the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Pathways to a Healthy Kansas program. United Way Health Pathways Coordinator Deon Morrow says there are five different local pathways that will benefit.
Morrow is using a physical activity project to highlight some of the work ahead.
Healthier Lyon County has used the Pathways program to bring several improvements to Emporia and other Lyon County locations, including:
*Lyon County Fairgrounds walking trail
*New sidewalks and school crosswalks
*Garden project at Presbyterian Manor
*Multi-use court in Admire
*Expended access to health food in childcare settings, grocery stores, food pantries, restaurants and rural farmers markets
Click here for the link to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas information page.
