Food security and expanding our knowledge about healthy food are foundational to our community’s well being. Since 2012, the Ithaca Rotary Club has made 16 grants to twelve different organizations in our county to help ensure that people know about healthy foods, are involved in growing food to sustain communities, and have access to food when they need it. Foodnet/Meals on Wheels has been a partner with Rotary, with 5 grants that touch on all aspects of food security for older folks and others. Some examples of Foodnet’s work that Rotary has supported include the purchase of equipment to expand Foodnet’s reach and services, improve the nutritional quality and variety of the food it provides every week all year round, and establish a new kitchen garden to enhance those choices. Rotary has also helped Foodnet make noise about Foodnet, by promoting the organization and reaching those who could benefit from its life-changing support.
Through the Center for Transformative Action and Cornell’s Cooperative Extension, we’ve been able to lend our support to learning by doing for low-income families, particularly youth, to experience gardening, and learn about cooking to support better nutrition and the experience of succeeding at this important skill!
Greenstar Community Projects, Ithaca Community Gardens, and Unity House each received grants for equipment to increase their service capabilities and expand growing seasons, yields, and access to the results for their communities. And the Ulysses Philomathic Library and Southside Community Center distributed food to children through their outreach that Rotary supported.
The issue of food is only one that Rotary and Savage Club have helped to address over the years. Our next post will include some other highlights from our Community Grants giving, all made possible by the generosity of Ithaca Rotary and Savage Club members, and the support of our communities.
