PROVIDENCE, RI – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) has awarded BlueAngel Community Health Grants (BACHG) to nine local organizations. The funding will be used to encourage physical activity in children and improve nutrition and healthy eating through innovative and engaging programs that involve children and their families in healthy activities.

Since the inception of the BlueAngel Community Health Grants in 2002, BCBSRI has donated more than $3.8 million to local nonprofits, impacting 300,000 Rhode Islanders. The BACHG program is BCBSRI’s cornerstone grant program, supporting nonprofit organizations working to address critical health issues in Rhode Island. For the past five years, BACHG funding has focused on Rhode Island organizations promoting the importance of good nutrition, physical activity and healthy weight for children and their families.

“Childhood obesity is a major public health crisis in the country and in our state. In fact, Rhode Island continues to rank among the top 15 states with the highest obesity rates in children. Childhood overweight and obesity results in dangerous health impacts and significant cost impacts, and we believe we can and must do more to stem this epidemic,” said Kim Keck, president and CEO of BCBSRI. “Our support for the organizations receiving these grants enables them to continue effectively addressing social and environmental factors that lead to overweight and obesity – particularly for low-income families in our state.”

The five new organizations receiving funding this year will bring healthy eating education through interactive programs and services. The 2019 funding recipient organizations include:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence – Providence – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence will receive $10,000 to offer “Family, Food and Fun!” cooking classes and nutrition education for families (adults and kids working together) at the South Side branch. Under the guidance of chef/nutrition educators, adults and children will create weekly recipes, both for class and at home.
• Farm Fresh Rhode Island (FFRI) – Pawtucket –FFRI will receive $22,000 for their farmers market-based education program. “Healthy Foods, Healthy Families” delivers interactive food and nutrition workshops at farmers markets for 400 families that receive federal food assistance. Provided in English and Spanish, the program empowers parents and children with the tools to shop for affordable, seasonal foods and prepare them in healthy, kid-friendly ways.
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center (MLKCC) – Newport –With a $25,000 grant, MLKCC will expand its current wellness programs for up to 1,970 children and their families. They will bring a cooking and nutrition educator into their preschool, after-school and summer programs. They will continue to offer family dinners for families of children in their childcare programs, support families through their food pantry, and fund access to MLKCC’s dietician and case management for their clients. MLKCC also plans to increase the number of parents participating in twice-weekly LiveFit nutrition classes.
• Rhode Island Community Food Bank – Providence – The Rhode Island Community Food Bank will receive $11,000 to provide nutrition education to under-served populations about the importance of good nutrition, physical activity and healthy weights for children and families. Throughout 2019, the Food Bank will conduct eight Healthy Habits six-week class series.  Classes will be split between those offered to children at Food Bank after-school programs and those held at Food Bank food pantries for adults with children.
• South County Health Equity Zone (HEZ) – Washington County – South County’s Health Equity Zone will receive $35,000 to expand Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds’ “5-2-1-0 Childhood Obesity Prevention Program” in Washington County. 5-2-1-0 is a multi-setting, community-wide prevention effort that intends to reach more than 6,000 children attending the 37 targeted sites (early learning centers/ Head Start, and elementary schools).

In addition to these grants, BCBSRI provided 2018 grantees the opportunity to reapply for year-two transitional funding, to build on successful performance outcomes. Transitional BACHG funding has been awarded to all four organizations from last year’s BACHG class in the following amounts:
• Children’s Friend ($40,000)
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation ($30,000)
• YMCA of Pawtucket ($25,000)
• YWCA Rhode Island ($20,000)

According to Keck, BACHG programs underscore BCBSRI’s commitment to the state made at the company’s founding 80 years ago. “Our first 80 years were marked by ongoing efforts focused on improving the health of Rhode Islanders. Looking forward, we will reinforce and expand those efforts to passionately lead a state of health and well-being across Rhode Island. We cannot ignore the consequences of childhood obesity and its impact on public health in our state, including shortened life expectancy and billions of dollars of cost impact,” said Keck. “That’s why our continued partnerships with organizations combating obesity at the community level are so critical.”

In all, BCBSRI awarded $218,000 in BACHG funding for 2019. Funding is made available through the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Community Health Fund maintained at the Rhode Island Foundation.