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LAMP receives ConAgra Foods© grant to purchase PHG units
With more than 17 million children at risk of hunger in urban and rural communities, the ConAgra Foods© Foundation seeks to leverage innovative grassroots initiatives to reach deep into communities and make a difference. Lowndes Associated MInistries to People, Inc. (LAMP) is one of 11 organizations nationwide selected to receive a 2010 ConAgra Foods© Foundation Community Impact Grant in the program's inaugural year, The program serves as the local extension of the Foundations's national philanthropic platform, "Nourish Today, Flourish Tomorrow," taking the company's commitment even further to provide high-quality and much-needed services for children and their families. Awards exceeded $500,000 and were distributed to 10 states where child hunger is of serious concern, where more than 20% of children are at risk of hunger and ConAgra Foods© has an employee presence. Lowndes Associated Ministries to People, Inc. (LAMP) will receive $25,000 in grant support from ConAgra Foods© Foundation for its ConAgra Heart and Hands Project.
LAMP is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization that specializes in providing emergency assistance to the indigent and homeless of our community. While immediate assistance is provided for the needy, the challenge of going the next step to solve nutrition problems is another challenge. “LAMP is pleased to be a recipient of a ConAgra Foods© Community Impact Grant. With ConAgra Foods© funding, LAMP will be able not only to meet a pressing need of providing valuable support to hungry children in our community, but also help prevent future needs through knowledge and hands-on experiences,” says Diane W. Howard, ConAgra Heart and Hands Project Director and LAMP Board of Directors member. Through a series field trips, workshops, activities, and presentations, the youth living on the LAMP campus and in nearby neighborhoods as well as in the county will have first hand knowledge of fruits and vegetables. “Key to the hands-on approach to learning about nutrition is growing their own fruits and vegetables in a unique urban garden and a traditional country garden,” continues Howard.
The urban garden is a custom-made unit by Portable Home Gardens in Arcadia, Florida. “Portable Home Gardens (PHG) is thrilled that LAMP received ConAgra Foods© Foundation grant for the inter-city program and looks forward to assisting with the future of this plan,” says Terry Hill, PHG owner. Born and raised in Arcadia,Terry is a native Floridian who has been involved in all forms of agriculture over the past 30 years. The idea of a Portable Home Garden was developed from Terry and his wife Kathy’s experience in their backyard where they installed a “hybrid hydroponic” farm. Utilizing thousands of feet of PVC pipe and poly-line, they built their own backyard garden equivalent to a fourteen acre farm on 1/4 acre. The urban garden in Valdosta, GA, will have 224 pots designed for 448 plants, complete with a water and nutrient timed-release injection system.
The ConAgra Heart and Hands Project is a three-phase community-wide health and nutrition program for youth of inner city Valdosta and in Lowndes County which provides them with the tools and knowledge to develop and sustain healthy bodies and minds. Phase one engages the youth in growing, preparing, and serving fruit and vegetables, while phase two challenges them to develop personal nutritional and exercise habits. The last phase involves the local state university, state college, and public school system's faculties and students working with youth to present their knowledge and experiences to other youth and adults through media presentations.
The Community Impact Grant program is a two-step competitive process that provides annual awards ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. “With over 325 letters of interest submitted in the first year of this program as well as the frequency of commentary in United States. We are looking to find creative ways to that ensure children have access to the food and knowledge they need to eat nutritiously, live balanced lifestyles, and succeed in school and life. Our partnership with Lowndes Associated Ministries to People, Inc. helps the Foundation to achieve this important objective,” comments Chris Kircher, President of the ConAgra Foods© Foundation. “This is the beginning of what we believe will be timely and relevant opportunities for the Foundation to work hand-in-hand with a select group of organizations each year to offer real, sustainable solutions to end child hunger.”
About Lowndes Associated Ministries to People, Inc.
Lowndes Associated Ministries to People, Inc. (LAMP) was founded in the year 1985 by a small group of visionary individuals and their churches to assist the truly needy in the Lowndes County area. Assistance was rendered in the following areas: rent, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, and other emergency needs. Currently, LAMP serves approximately 11,000 individuals per year through its many and diverse programs. Through the Helpers Unlimited (Emergency Assistance/Homeless Prevention) Program rent, utilities, food, and clothing needs are met. The Health Care Program assists with Prescriptions, eye care, and dental care. The Homeless Supportive Housing Program provides transitional housing with 75 beds and a Day Center Shelter for unsheltered people. The newly added Heart 2 Heart Program provides opportunities for individual volunteers in the Lowndes County to build relationships with other members in the community in order to make a difference in the lives of the young people.
For more information, please visit http://www.lampinc.org
About ConAgra Foods Foundation
The ConAgra Foods© Foundation, through its Nourish Today, Flourish Tomorrow platform, is dedicated to raising awareness of the nearly 17 million children in America who are at risk of hunger and don't have enough food to live active, healthful lives. It aggressively pursues sustainable solutions in the fight against child hunger. And the Foundation is committed to building a community of people who are passionate about ensuring that all kids have access to the food and facts they need to eat nutritiously while living balanced lifestyles and succeeding in school and life. ConAgra Foods Foundation invests in national and local partnerships with high-impact, not-for-profit organizations, such as Feeding America, that take an innovative approach to addressing needs in the core areas of hunger and nutrition education. For more information, please visit www.nourishkidstoday.org or www.facebook.com/ConAgraFoodsFoundation. The ConAgra Foods Foundation is funded solely by ConAgra Foods©.
Contact Information:
Diane W. Howard
229-560-5692
dhoward202@mchsi.com