HEALTH, WELLNESS & FOOD

Ag Against Hunger

www.AgAgainstHunger.org

755-1480

Founded: 1990

WHAT THEY DO: Ag Against Hunger helps alleviate hunger for 100,000 people, including children living in poverty, by connecting the agriculture community with food assistance programs. The nonprofit helps prevent the annual waste of 12 million pounds of high-quality produce by gathering surplus fruits and veggies from local farmers and distributing it to local food banks. That improves the diets of people who otherwise might not be able to access or afford produce.

THE BIG IDEA: More produce distributed means more health, and Ag Against Hunger wants to feed over 32,000 hungry students through their More Produce for Schools program. The collaborative effort includes the Grower-Shipper Association Foundation and Healthy Eating Lifestyle Principles, and Ag Against Hunger’s role is to fill school salad bars with free, supplementel fresh fruits and veggies. Five school districts and three after-school programs are enrolled in More Produce, and all the school districts involved provide free or reduced-cost lunches to their students.

Gleaning Feast: “We have been thrilled with the produce provided by Ag Against Hunger. Thank you for providing this wonderful produce to the future leaders of tomorrow.”

Alzheimer’s Association

www.Alz.org/NorCal

647-9890

Founded: 1987

WHAT THEY DO: The Alzheimer’s Association advances research into this memory-stealing disease in order to eliminate it. They also provide information to patients and their families, promote brain health to reduce the risk of dementia and enhance the care and support for all those affected with Alzheimer’s, including family members and caregivers throughout Monterey County.

THE BIG IDEA: Those who care for patients need support, and the association wants to offer state-required, customized continuing education about Alzheimer’s to long-term care nursing professionals and para-professionals. This includes providing two four-hour courses of premier training, free of charge, to enhance the skills of the long-term care, home health care and end-of-life care communities.

Knowledge is Power: “The Alzheimer’s Association was the source of our information-gathering and support. Life had become much more complicated, but our new friends at the Alzheimer’s Association had given us answers… and hope.”

Big Sur Health Center

www.BigSurHealthCenter.org

667-2580

Founded: 1979

WHAT THEY DO: The little clinic that could delivers the expected, the unexpected and everything in between, as the only medical provider between Carmel and Cambria. They serve patients with high-quality, culturally sensitive, preventive, traditional and wellness care and urgent care to visitors and Big Sur residents, regardless of ability to pay.

THE BIG IDEA: The center wants to hire additional and critically necessary medical staff to accommodate the growing number of annual visitors, and the 1,600 local residents who rely upon it for their medical needs. Adding staff means the clinic can provide longer hours and deliver the affordable and high-quality medically necessary services.

Early Save: “Because of the health center’s breast cancer detection program, I received screening in time for treatment that saved my life.”

Cancer Patients Alliance

www.CancerPACT.org

658-0600

Founded: 2001

WHAT THEY DO: The Cancer Patients Alliance bridges the gap from cancer patient to cancer survivor by improving outcomes with health education and enabling patients and their familiy members to become active participants in medical care. The nonprofit has increased the number of well-woman exams and resources for Latinas and women in underserved communities, and expanded their collaborations with local and regional stakeholders.

THE BIG IDEA: Screening rates among Latinos and other underserved populations in Monterey County lag behind the state average. The alliance wants to expand their SVBridge program to include colorectal cancer screenings among these communities in the Salinas Valley. The program will include collaborations with traditional safety net clinics to improve education and implement screening, and track and analyze outcomes.

A Wider Net: “We’ve known Cancer Patients Alliance for several years and endorse their important work for the underserved with cancer in our community.”

Central Coast HIV/AIDS Services

www.cchas.org

394-4747

Founded: 1988

WHAT THEY DO: Central Coast HIV/AIDS Services improves the lives of people affected by HIV/AIDS, and lessens the incidences of new infections through a variety of educational and outreach programs. They work with patients to ensure timely and consistent access to benefits and health care. The nonprofit also works to reduce the risk of patients becoming homeless as a result of high-priced medication and health care costs, and offers stable housing to medically fragile, low-income families impacted by HIV/AIDS.

THE BIG IDEA: For patients impacted by HIV/AIDS, every bite of healthy food counts. The nonprofit wants to help patients manage the side effects of harsh HIV/AIDS medications by helping them gain access to nutritious foods and manage their eating plans. The program includes holding free nutritional-information workshops, distributing supplemental nutrition program cards, growing the access patients have to local food pantries and offering supplementary grocery programs to avert sacrificing nutritional needs.

Learning to Love: “I’m grateful to Central Coast HIV/AIDS Services because they have always supported me during times when I did not want to live and I didn’t love myself.”

Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition

www.chpcc.org

422-3002

Founded: 2001

WHAT THEY DO: The coalition addresses the unique needs of seriously ill children and their families by increasing access to comprehensive, community-based care and helping break down barriers to care for underserved communities. The nonprofit provides direct services that include pain and symptom management, therapy, transportation, rent, utilities and assistance with end-of-life expenses.

THE BIG IDEA: For families with seriously ill children, just getting to necessary medical appointments can be difficult. The nonprofit seeks to add to their “Miles for Smiles” program by increasing their funding to meet the transportation needs for seriously ill children, taking them and their caregiver to doctor’s appointments in the Bay Area and returning them home safely. In 2012, they provided 1,000 such rides; in 2015, they want to provide 1,300.

Ride Along: “Without the rides that we received, we wouldn’t be able to get my son to his appointments because we didn’t have access to a car.”

Coastal Kids Home Care

www.CoastalKidsHomeCare.org

800-214-5439

Founded: 2005

WHAT THEY DO: Coastal Kids Home Care improves the quality of life for children healing from injury or short-term illness, living with chronic conditions or developmental problems and assists with end-of-life care for any patient under the age of 21. Their array of services includes in-home pediatric medical care, therapy and social services to help the whole family.

THE BIG IDEA: Since 2005, 2,700 Monterey County families have received more than 15,000 home visits from Coastal Kids’ “Clinic on Wheels,” all with the goal of keeping children home, safe and comfortable. But public insurance doesn’t cover the cost of traveling to and from the homes of these kids; through the “Wings for Traveling Nurses” initiative, Coastal Kids can keep the angels flying so patients can receive care in a familiar environment and not in a hospital.

House and Home: “Coastal Kids’ nurses were an extraordinary support to our family during a year of unspeakable sorrow and confusion.”

Community Human Services

www.CHServices.org

658-3811

Founded: 1969

WHAT THEY DO: Community Human Services (CHS) helps patients struggling with mental illness and addiction create lasting change in their lives, away from hospitals, jails or prisons. CHS addresses the underlying root causes of mental illness and addiction with successful mental health and substance-use counseling to middle and low-income families.

THE BIG IDEA: For mothers in recovery, keeping their babies or young children with them can aid in the recovery process. CHS wants to make sure mothers who are receiving care and are at risk of homelessness can keep their infants and young children with them during a four-month period of intensive treatment at Genesis House, a licensed residential substance-abuse treatment facility.

Big Picture: “I owe my life to you!”

Everyone’s Harvest

www.EveryonesHarvest.org

384-6961

Founded: 2002

WHAT THEY DO: Everyone’s Harvest operates five certified farmers markets throughout the county, as well as one farmstand, and partners with family farmers and community gardens to provide fresh, affordable produce to underserved families. They also offer healthy shopping and cooking workshops and three big, beautiful community gardens, two in Marina and one in Salinas. The gardens have living classrooms and work with a variety of groups, including Goodwill Industries and the Veterans Transition Center, to grow and distribute healthy, nutritious fruits and vegetables to people in need.

THE BIG IDEA: In Monterey County health clinics, one out of every two patients are overweight or obese. Everyone’s Harvest thinks nutritious food can be a prescription for change: They want to give 85 families $25 worth of Fresh Produce Rx every week so those families can purchase fruits and veggies at farmers markets. Clinicians will make the prescriptions, then monitor each patient’s body mass index every three months to help encourage healthy lifestyles. Everyone’s Harvest will also provide access to healthy recipes and cooking workshops.

Eating Better: “Everyone’s Harvest has helped me improve my diet a lot. They offer inexpensive, delicious produce and friendly staff which allowed me to shop healthy.”

Food Bank for Monterey County

www.FoodBankforMontereyCounty.org

758-1523

Founded: 1990

WHAT THEY DO: The Food Bank for Monterey County is the largest provider of emergency supplemental food in Monterey County, operating two direct distribution programs, emergency assistance programs and providing 6 million pounds of food to 90,000 people – 50 percent of whom are children – every year, utilizing 20 full-time staff. The Food Bank is also the primary food source for 120 active nonprofits whose mission is to feed low-income clients.

THE BIG IDEA: Senior citizens are often unable to afford nutritious fruits and vegetables, or get to sites that distribute them at low or reduced costs. The Food Bank wants to maintain special distribution sites targeted to senior citizens through the “Produce for Seniors” initiative. Food insecurity can exacerbate medical conditions; a stable source of basic nutrition can make a tremendous difference in seniors’ lives.

Around The Table: “The people at the Food Bank were welcoming and kind to us. They helped by giving more than food; they gave us comfort and hope.”

ITN Monterey County – Transportation for Seniors

www.ITNMontereyCounty.org

233-3447

Founded: 2011

WHAT THEY DO: ITN Monterey County provides door-to-door secure and safe rides to seniors and the visually impaired, improving clients’ quality of life through social activities and allowing them to stay connected to friends, family and the community.

THE BIG IDEA: It can be difficult for members of “the sandwich generation,” those caring for children and elderly parents, to take their parents to every necessary appointment. ITN wants to continue their mission and unburden the sandwich generation by helping clients maintain their independence and offer secure, arm-in-arm service for those in need of safe transportation to doctor’s appointments, shopping, senior centers and social visits.

Family Bonds: “As four adult children living 300-plus miles from our parents, we’re so grateful for ITN. ITN has provided them with safe, friendly and trustworthy transportation. And ITN’s communication with us has been valued!”

Meals on Wheels Monterey Peninsula

www.mowmp.org

375-4454

Founded: 1972

WHAT THEY DO: Meals on Wheels Monterey Peninsula promotes physical, social and personal well-being and independence for frail, disabled, elderly and homebound adults by delivering free meals, along with socialization and wellness checks by a volunteer army of drivers. The organization also facilitates about 20,000 hours of exercise for 5,500 adults, led by 350 volunteers.

THE BIG IDEA: Meals on Wheels wants to help seniors stay healthy and in their homes, providing blood pressure screenings, Social Security and Medicare counseling, technology training and legal services too. Through donations, the nonprofit can continue their exercise programs and social gatherings at the Sally Griffin Center, and recruit needed computer coaches and workshop specialists, as well as volunteers for the kitchen and offices, drivers, luncheon hosts and servers.

Staying Alive: “The actions of Meals on Wheels’ coordinator and volunteer saved my 91-year-old mother’s life. Thank you to Meals on Wheels for all the good work that organization performs for Monterey-area seniors.”

Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley

www.mowsalinas.org

758-6325

Founded: 1972

WHAT THEY DO: Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley helps hundreds of homebound senior citizens and disabled people maintain and improve their health and wellbeing by making sure they have enough good, nutritious food to eat. The service delivers meals to people age 60 and older who can’t shop or cook for themselves.

THE BIG IDEA: Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley wants to do more, and that means extending outreach, recruiting more volunteer drivers and volunteer substitute drivers and delivering nearly 100,000 meals to 450 frail seniors in the Salinas Valley who can’t shop or cook. About 95 percent of clients are low-income or below, and will benefit from the social connections of having nutritious meals delivered directly to their doors.

Breaking Bread: “The meals are very healthy, and I’m feeling much better. I’m glad I can stay in my own home and not be dependent on my son.”

Natividad Medical Foundation

www.NatividadFoundation.org

755-4187

Founded: 1988

WHAT THEY DO: The foundation supports Natividad Medical Center’s mission of providing access to high-quality health care for the vulnerable regardless of ability to pay, and supports the basic medical needs of homeless and the poor, including transportation, medication and emergency shelter. Since its founding, the foundation has helped provide $125 million in charity care.

THE BIG IDEA: NMF wants to meet the basic needs of the tiniest patients of Natividad Medical Center by supporting the center’s Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where parents of patients typically earn less than $15,000 a year. Through Gives! donors will support the mission of helping sick newborns. Donors can also meet and get healthy themselves by walking, jogging or running in one of the NICU’s main fundraisers, the Rio Grill’s Rio Run. The run takes place on New Year’s Day and has grown from a small gathering to a race that attracts 1,500 runners annually.

Baby Bumps: “Thanks to the nurses and the care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, my baby is doing well. Months have passed and she is totally different. It’s amazing.”

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte

www.PPMarMonte.org

783-6319

Founded: 1964

WHAT THEY DO: Planned Parenthood Mar Monte helps protect women’s health by providing preventive care such as life-saving cancer screenings, breast care, prenatal care and well-women exams. They also help prevent teen pregnancy and promote responsible attitudes and behaviors about sexuality and health, as well as advocating for reproductive justice and reproductive rights.

THE BIG IDEA: Planned Parenthood wants to meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act by continuing to provide top-quality, affordable services to low-income, newly insured, undocumented patients and new Medi-Cal recipients. Some patients may have trouble finding doctors because many area doctors can’t afford Medi-Cal’s low reimbursement rates – Planned Parenthood helps bridge the care-availability gap.

Safe Haven: “I came to Planned Parenthood when I was 16… I needed somewhere I could be anonymous, private and safe, and people really took care of me. I found that place.”

Visiting Nurse Association Community Services

www.ccvna.com

372-6668

Founded: 1981

WHAT THEY DO: VNA Community Services promotes preventive health programs in the community and serves the clinical health needs of low-income patients. VNA also provides health services, vision and hearing screenings, and flu vaccines to public and private schools. They improve employee health and wellness through their programs, enhancing overall productivity for local businesses.

THE BIG IDEA: VNA wants to collaborate with the low-income housing developer CHISPA and provide an in-house wellness program to CHISPA residents. The collaboration will empower low-income families’ health, helping people make great lifestyle choices and manage existing chronic conditions, and reduce emergency room visits and preventable diseases. They also wants to motivate people to exercise and change their diets through shopping and cooking demonstrations.

Positive Influence: “I appreciate that the program helps bring the community together and the activities help keep the kids safe and away from possible negative influences.”