The CVS Health Foundation announced a $525,000 investment in a new fitness zone for the Central California Food Bank’s City Center Collaborative efforts.
This investment 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 in downtown Fresno under one roof.
“When other people have access to supportive services, they are in a better position to take care of their fitness and well-being,” said Sheryl Burke, senior vice president of corporate social duty and chief sustainability officer for CVS Health. “Our Fresno fitness zone organizations share our vision for better fitness results locally. We believe that by working in combination and integrating our other network efforts through systems like Project Health, we will have a significant effect and improve network fitness here in Fresno.
With one in four people and one in three children facing hunger in the Food Bank of Central California’s Fresno service area, CVS Health saw an opportunity to adapt its Fresno Health Zones initiative to focus on organizations that They expand access to healthy foods and comprehensive facilities that help. Americans are taking proactive steps toward a healthier future.
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In addition to CCFB, the investment for the fitness zones will be split between Family Healthcare Network, Fresno Mission, Central La Familia Advocacy Services, CASA and Social Vocational Services. Each organization plays a very important role in the company’s fitness areas. project to overcome barriers to better networked fitness outcomes, such as limited access to fitness services, nutritious foods, workforce training, and other services. This targeted investment will help fill a critical gap in fitness care and the social system.
“Through this collaboration, the CVS Health Foundation is helping City Center’s incredible partners leverage food and nutrition to link neighbors to a wide diversity of support networks that will improve fitness and overall well-being,” said Kym Dildine, co-executive director of Central California Food Bank.
In addition to announcing the new grants, the company has offered free fitness screenings to Americans in the inner city through its Project Health initiative. This program is designed to offer free biometric screenings, adding blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose point and body mass index to detect early risks of chronic diseases.
The screenings will also offer a PHQ-2 screening to help identify Americans who require additional screening for depression. All Americans get an on-site consultation with a nurse practitioner and get a directory of local physical care providers and resources. In 2023, CVS Health hosted 170 Project Health events in California and screened 6,977 attendees, resulting in 24,420 screenings. The program will be offered year-round in the country and a full calendar of events can be viewed online or through its iPhone or Android app.
CVS Health shared that this downtown one-stop-shop style has given others like Cristal a fresh start and a new purpose. As a single mother looking for a better life for herself and her 4-year-old daughter, she struggled to find paintings while worrying about her children. She sought help from Fresno Mission, which helped her get job training. This program is part of Health Zones and connects Fresno Mission’s recovering graduates to have a momentary opportunity to thrive.
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“Fortunately, my case manager put me in touch with the Food Bank of Central California,” Cristal said. “The fact that he gave her that hand is a blessing to me. ” Since then, Cristal has gained skills in serving visitors, making plans and accessing knowledge. stock management and leadership while working at Groceries2Go and First Fruits Market.
CVS Health also said it has reshaped the lives of others like Mercy Case, a neighbor at First Fruits Market, who now cooks daily for her 14 elderly neighbors so they can focus on their fitness and well-being. A critical component of the Health Zones initiative, it provides new and nutritious food to hungry neighbors. Since its opening last September, it has served 14,381 citizens of the Central Valley. As Mercy Case shares, “Without this assistance and without being able to buy precisely what I needed, I wouldn’t be able to buy everything I needed to make casseroles and pasta dishes for my neighbors in need. These stories of resilience and transformation are a testament to the strength of the network and the positive effect of fitness zones. ‘collaborative efforts,’ CVS Health said.
“We are excited to see those systems and come to Fresno County,” said Fresno County District 3 Supervisor Sal Quintero. “Now families can benefit from fitness without having to sacrifice other essential desires, like putting food on the table. We need to thank CVS Health and the Central California Food Bank, along with all local organizations, for working together to meet the wishes of our most vulnerable populations.
“As Mayor of Fresno, I am proud to stand with CVS Health and our committed local organizations to announce this vital investment in our community,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer. “This $525,000 investment for fitness zones will be a game-changer as it will provide better access to must-have fitness facilities and nutritious food for our residents. In a city where too many families go hungry, projects like this are key to creating a more fitness and equitable future. Together, we are taking proactive steps to break down barriers and quality of life for all Fresnoites.