According to Hunger Free Colorado’s most recent statewide survey conducted in April 2021, 1 in 3 Coloradans are food insecure — including school children. Recognizing the need to address food insecurity and improve the health of the communities it serves, Kaiser Permanente awarded 17 Colorado school districts with a total of $300,000 in grant support to help increase food distribution equity for tens of thousands of students during the 2021-22 school year.
The funding will allow schools to obtain more equipment for safe food storage and preparation, increase transportation options for meal delivery in communities, and advance ongoing efforts to enroll more students and their families in federal food assistance programs.
“The link between total health and nutritious food is well documented, especially for young, developing minds. It’s simply unacceptable to have students without consistent access to healthy food,” said Mike Ramseier, regional president of Kaiser Permanente in Colorado. “We’re proud to provide this support to school districts along the Front Range, helping advance equitable distribution of food and resources for all students.”
Schools play an integral role in shaping lifelong healthy eating habits by offering nutritious meals through federal child nutrition programs. School children get up to half the food they need each day at school, which makes schools an important place for obtaining food and learning healthy eating habits.
“Good nutrition and access to healthy, nourishing food are as much a part of a quality learning experience as paper and pencils. Generous funds from our partners at Kaiser Permanente will help us to continue important outreach efforts connecting families to food resources within our schools and the greater community. We are also excited to offer our students more locally sourced fruits and vegetables and continue to feed their tummies — and their minds — with the very best,” said Charlotte Ciancio, Mapleton School District superintendent.
Through June 2022, school districts can use the support districtwide or for individual schools within each district. Funding will be used differently in each district. Included below are the Colorado school districts that received a portion of the support:
This grant support is part of Kaiser Permanente’s Food for Life work, which addresses food insecurity across the nation, and its Thriving Schools initiative, which is designed to improve the health of school communities.
Since 2013, Kaiser Permanente in Colorado has provided more than $10 million in Thriving Schools grants to improve the physical, mental, and emotional health of students, teachers, and staff. Collectively, the grants have helped to improve physical activity policies encouraging students to lead healthy lifestyles in and out of the classroom, increase social and emotional skills for staff, and reduce stigma toward the discussion of mental health in school districts across the state.
All this work to support school communities is part of Kaiser Permanente’s long-standing commitment to advance health in its communities.
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve approximately 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.
Through public health initiatives, $95,000 will be used to prevent firearm …
We urge Congress to extend policies that have improved access to care and …
Indigenous farmworkers may qualify for new Kaiser Permanente coverage.
As a 2024 top Military Friendly Employer, Kaiser Permanente supports veterans …
Valedictorian uses bilingual-bicultural fluency to connect with community …
The foods we eat play a role in risk factors that can lead to disease.
The 2023 Kaiser Permanente Southern California Community Health County …
HuffPost
In honor of National Voter Registration Day, we encourage everyone who …
Taking time to focus while you eat can help you avoid overeating.
Kaiser Permanente in Southern California invests $10 million in Riverside …
These guidelines ensure we use artificial intelligence tools that are safe …
Our partnership with ONEgeneration aims to prevent homelessness and improve …
Warren Village expands its efforts to transform Denver’s affordable housing …
A $1.5 million Kaiser Permanente grant addresses Colorado teacher shortage …
Our investment in the Watts neighborhood of California, in partnership …
Chef Ann Foundation will use $275,000 grant for Colorado program to convert …
To reduce barriers, Food Bank of the Rockies’ Culturally Responsive Food …
The Kaiser Permanente Colorado Health Action Summit gathered nonprofits, …
Funding from Kaiser Permanente in Washington helps to promote mental health, …
Kaiser Permanente and the Los Angeles Football Club will launch the second …
Prescription drugs are unaffordable for millions of people. With the right …
Where people learn, work, and play has a big impact on health. Discover …
“The Password” is an interactive program that uses role-playing and facilitate …
Health care leaders and policymakers should each play their part to help …
Black Americans experience worse health outcomes compared to other populations …
Kaiser Permanente grant and challenge spark $18.7 million for Denver Health’s …
Medical Financial Assistance program supports access to health care.
Bill Coggins, who founded the Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling and Learning …
Kaiser Permanente physicians and medical students provide medical exams …
In alignment with the White House, Kaiser Permanente continues its work …
Everyone needs a safe place to live, healthy food to eat, and other essentials …
You have only one heart. ‘Prescribe’ yourself a few changes to help protect …
Kaiser Permanente opens medical offices and a new home for the Watts Counselin …
Supporting behavioral and mental health in communities where needs are …
Kaiser Permanente’s Patient Advisory Councils help us create exceptional …
Researchers and organizations are exploring inventive ways to reduce gun …
Kaiser Permanente celebrates inclusion at Special Olympics Southern California …
Following a COVID-19-related hospital stay, Robert DeLeon took charge of …
Attendees look at ways to get healthy food to people who don’t have enough …
We offer housing-related legal help to prevent evictions and remove barriers …
Steady employment can improve a person's health and well-being. Our new …
To help develop talented, diverse community leaders, Kaiser Permanente …
Innovative medical-legal partnerships keep families in stable housing to …
The next phase for the Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research …
The Thriving Schools program helps educators and students in Colorado integrat …
Kaiser Permanente is partnering with the National Academy of Medicine.
For years, serious heart attacks meant hours of weekly appointments. Now, …
Kaiser Permanente increases access to mental health services in Southern …
A new location-based vaccine strategy by Kaiser Permanente was successful …
These tips from Don Mordecai, MD, Kaiser Permanente’s national mental health …
The Kaiser Permanente Southern California 2022 Community Health Snapshot …
Learn how lifestyle medicine is part of cancer care at Kaiser Permanente.
The Kaiser Permanente Community Support Hub can help members find community …
The Kaiser Permanente and 211 LA partnership makes strides in improving …
Kaiser Permanente addresses the Supreme Court decision on LGBTQIA+ protections …
Kaiser Permanente addresses the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action …
Kaiser Permanente celebrated its sixth year as official health partner …
The Achievable Foundation recognized Kaiser Permanente for its work to …
New climate collaborative with BSR announced at joint Kaiser Permanente …
Funding comes as Denver Health provided $120 million in uncompensated care …
The annual Seattle King County Clinic brings health care to low-income …
Kaiser Permanente supports Asian Americans Advancing Justice to promote …
Grant funds will combat housing inaccessibility and improve health care …
Kaiser Permanente is working with community partners to reduce financial …
We value and respect employees and physicians of all backgrounds, identities, …
We strive for equity and inclusion for all.
Kaiser Permanente recognizes that safe, affordable housing is crucial to …
Early women workers at the Kaiser shipyards diversified home front World …
Kaiser Permanente is confronting future health care staffing challenges …
When thousands of women industrial workers, often called “Rosies,” joined …
With the COVID-19 public health emergency ending, states, community organizati …
Kaiser Permanente launches new mobile health vehicle on Oahu.
With medical-legal partnerships, we’re helping prevent evictions.
A Kaiser Permanente program connects patients experiencing homelessness …
We’re partnering on 3 initiatives to strengthen public health in the United …
Reentering society after serving time can land people in unhealthy situations. …
Organizations that receive this recognition improve communities, build …
Kaiser Permanente in Southern California partners with San Diego Wave Fútbol …
Kaiser Permanente awards $80,000 in grants for health policy and community …
New research shows blood pressure patterns early in pregnancy can identify …
Expert shares 5 valuable tips for parents and guardians to help children …
Kaiser Permanente funds programs to improve the overall health of the communit …
Kaiser Permanente supports total health in our communities in partnership …
Kaiser Permanente supports 3 Hawaii-based nonprofits.
Kaiser Permanente invests $3.3 million to build healthy social connections …
Making key pandemic-era telehealth policies permanent and ensuring more …
Kaiser Permanente partners with the American Red Cross to help address …
CityHealth recognizes Denver for its leadership in supporting policies …
Kaiser Permanente grants $150,000 to three community nonprofits.
Kaiser Permanente funds innovative projects on Oahu.
Kaiser Permanente funds 2 grants for Hawaii-based nonprofits.
To meaningfully improve health equity, we must shift our focus to outcomes …
Explore Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to equitable, culturally responsive …
We believe everyone has a right to good health.
A statement of support from Kaiser Permanente chair and CEO Greg A. Adams …
Where you live impacts your health. With a new $1.5 million grant, we’re …
A good credit score can make it easier to buy a home, pay for school, or …
Grant of $50,000 will provide 1,000 healthy meals to individuals with low …
Kaiser Permanente announces $50,000 grant to Goodwill Hawaii.