MILWAUKEE, WI February 5, 2019 – Eight local organizations have been awarded grants through the Kohl’s Healthy Families program—a partnership between the American Cancer Society and Kohl’s—to fund nutrition-focused projects that will help increase awareness and understanding of healthy food choices. The projects are spearheaded by clinics, schools, and faith-based organizations from across the Milwaukee area.
The eight organizations selected for funding include:
• Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers
• Cross Lutheran Church
• Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, College of Nursing
• Walnut Way Conservation Corp.
• Groundwork Milwaukee, Inc.
• Southeast Asian Educational Development of Wisconsin, Inc.
• Muslim Community & Health Center
“Where we live, work, learn, and play has a major influence on what we eat and our ability to be physically active,” said Laurie Bertrand, the American Cancer Society’s executive director in Wisconsin. “We’re excited about partnering with these organizations and furthering their efforts to help Milwaukee families make healthy food choices and access healthy foods.”
Additionally, the organizations chosen for funding reflect the many diverse groups throughout Milwaukee. Bertrand said the variety ensures many neighborhoods and populations will have greater access to healthy foods and nutrition resources. The American Cancer Society hopes to
reach nearly 3,000 individuals through these projects.
These nutrition-based educational sessions kick-off in 2019 and include a range of offerings
from cooking classes and gardening lessons to field trips to local farmers markets. The goal of
these sessions is to help participants learn where they can access healthy foods in their
community.
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Research shows individuals can help lower their risk of cancer by making healthy choices such
as eating a balanced diet, being active, and not smoking. The World Cancer Research Fund
estimates that about 20 percent of all cancers diagnosed in the United States are related to the
combination of body fatness, physical inactivity, excess alcohol consumption, and/or poor
nutrition.
Together, the American Cancer Society and Kohl’s created the Kohl’s Healthy Families
program, which provides information and resources to help families in southeastern Wisconsin
prevent cancer and cope with a diagnosis. For more information about the Kohl’s Healthy
Families program, visit acskohls.org.