Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser awards $50,000 to United Way of Monroe County for new hunger program: Fresh Change

Along with four other fantastic non-profits that received grants at the Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser this year (three of whom are partners of the United Way of Monroe County: Meals on Wheels, Youth Employment Services and Habitat for Humanity), United Way was awarded $50,000 on Thursday, July 20th at this annual event organized by Sanofi Pasteur. This grant will specifically support United Way’s new Fresh Change program.

Fresh Change is a new program under United Way of Monroe County’s Access to healthy food initiative – a community impact collaboration with the goal of providing access to healthy, nutritious food for all residents to improve their well-being, health, and independence. The Fresh Change project will bring together local food pantry partners to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire supplemental feeding system across the county; providing more people in need in Monroe County with higher quality and healthier food. Funding will help to cover costs associated with transportation and purchase of healthy food for 22 local food pantries; preparation and distribution of nutritional education materials; and website development for the Hunger Coalition of Monroe County. The Hunger Coalition will use the website to assist with communication and coordination of resources here in our community.

For more information about this important effort, or to get involved, contact Jennifer Strauch through our online contact form, here or call us at (570) 629-5657.