TMCnet News
The Rite Aid Foundation Awards $5 Million Through KidCents Regional Grant ProgramAs part of its ongoing efforts to address critical children's health and wellbeing issues in the communities it serves, The Rite Aid Foundation announced today 233 nonprofit grants, totaling more than $5 million, through its KidCents Regional Grant Program. This program, which provides grants of $15,000-$30,000, funds specific out-of-school time programs focused on children's nutrition, physical fitness and academic success. The KidCents program also annually supports a select group of more than 400 nonprofit, kid-focused organizations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of children living in the communities Rite Aid serves, as well as national organizations focused on critical children's issues including The Fred Rogers Company, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and Folds of Honor. "The Rite Aid Foundation is committed to being a caring neighbor and making meaningful differences for the children and families who live in the communities we serve," said Tracy Henderson, director of The Rite Aid Foundation and charitable giving initiatives. "The Regional Grant Program significantly expands the reach and impact of our KidCents program, while enabling our partner organizations to provide critical out-of-school time programs that are vital to keeping children and adolescents on track for future success." KidCents Regional Grants support nonprofit organizations with programs that serve children, grades K-12, and improve quality of life in Rite Aid communities. The grants support three of KidCents' primary focus areas for improving the health and wellbeing of children: healthy eating, active living and education. To be considered, programs and projects were required to take place during out-of-school-time with priority given to programs that support communities in need. "We are immensely grateful for the tremendous support of The Rite Aid Foundation in helping us expand our ongoing partnership with the parents of Azusa students in providing them the tools to thrive," said Jennifer Hicks, executive director of Neighborhood Homework House. "This grant will enable hundreds of children and youth to participate in our after-school programs where, together with their parents, we believe their futures are being rewritten-one graduate at a time." Charities receiving grants range from local affiliates of national organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Girls on the Run to local and regional community-based organizations like Philly Girls in Motion in Havertown, Pa., and Inspiring Minds in Warren, Oh. Several nonprofit organizations currently participating in the KidCents in-store round-up program were also awarded Regional Grants. Funded programs include food assistance and nutrition education, leadership programs for girls, physical fitness programs for youth with disabilities, STEM and STEAM programs for at-risk youth, academic support programs for children battling homelessness, and summer enrichment programs for children in need. Examples of specific organizations and projects funded include:
Neighborhood Homework House, Azusa, CA (News - Alert)
This program provides a place for children and youth to go for tools and support for academic and lifelong success. STEM exposure is integrated into the youth-focused programs. It is one of the only free after-school programs of its kind that services some of Azusa's most disadvantaged children and teens.
Hand in Hand, Everett, WA
This program provides a safe environment where underserved, low-income children, grades 1-5, have opportunities to engage in healthy activities designed to improve their physical, emotional and relational health. The Afterschool Club focuses on increasing physical activity, learning about good nutrition and healthy eating, and receiving academic support.
Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program, Detroit, MI
This program provides a free after-school safe haven for youth between the ages of 8 and 18. In the gym, boys and girls receive tutoring and learn the importance of physical education. Students participate in strength and conditioning training together by running laps or doing push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, high knees, mountain climbers, and boxing drills. The entire group then gathers for a huddle where academic team members and coaches have an opportunity to share information and praise students for good behavior, academic successes, and supporting others.
Island Harvest Food Bank, Bethpage, NY
Insufficient nutrition keeps students from doing well in school and is linked to physical and mental health problems. This program ensures nearly 10,000 children learn the importance of good nutrition to help them develop a lifetime of making healthy food choices.
EducationWorks, Philadelphia, PA
EW's Full STEAM Ahead program is provided after school and during summer months to K-12 students who attend low-performing Philadelphia schools. Full STEAM Ahead uses fun open source, inquiry-based online modules and hands-on activities, which focus on improving students' attitudes toward learning through technology and exploration activities. "We are truly grateful to The Rite Aid Foundation for helping us 'gear up' to win," said Jessica Hauser, Executive Director of the Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program. "Our free after-school program combines academics and athletics, teaching students teamwork, discipline and other important life-skills. This KidCents grant will enable us to expand our athletic programming and put more Detroit students on a path to winning futures." This cycle of KidCents Regional Grants launched in April 2019 and was available in select counties in the following states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington. In the first cycle, The Rite Aid Foundation awarded 180 grants, totaling more than $4 million. Another cycle of KidCents Regional Grants will launch in 2020. To learn more about the program, visit riteaid.com/grants. Through the KidCents program, members of Rite Aid's loyalty program, wellness+ rewards, can round up their in-store or online purchases to the nearest dollar and donate their change to KidCents. Members can also choose to direct their change to a specific KidCents charity by visiting www.kidcents.com. Through KidCents' Step Up Fund, The Rite Aid Foundation provides a matching donation of $500 for every $500 a charity raises in contributions through the wellness+ rewards program, up to a maximum of $5,000. For more information, visit www.kidcents.com. About The Rite Aid Foundation Since its inception in 2001, The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded more than $63 million to nonprofit organizations. Additionally, Rite Aid, through the efforts of its customers, supplier partners and associates, has also raised more than $92 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals across the country since 1994. About Rite Aid Corporation Rite Aid Corporation, which generated fiscal 2019 annual revenue of $21.6 billion, is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with 2,464 stores in 18 states and pharmacy benefit management (PBM) capabilities through EnvisionRxOptions and its affiliates. At Rite Aid, we have a personal interest in our customers' health and wellness and deliver the products and services they need to lead healthier lives. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com. The 233 charities receiving KidCents Regional Grants include:
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191007005541/en/ |
