The Yolo Food Bank was one of the recipients of over $1 million worth of grants from Dignity Health, aiming to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable and underserved populations. These grants are part of the CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants program, which is designed to award nonprofits with funds to help better community health in their own towns and cities.

“Dignity Health is committed to improving the health of our community beyond our hospital and clinic walls,” stated Dignity Health Sacramento Market President Dr. Tina Johnson. “These grants are a reflection of our work toward a healthier future for all, and support the great work being done by our community nonprofits to bring critical programs and services into the Sacramento Region. It is helping ensure individuals and families are able to access the services they need.”

The grant program helps to improve community health and health equity and enhance local service systems via restricted charitable contributions for defined projects. Collaborating 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations applied to receive grant funds to address significant issues identified in the hospital’s/hospitals’ community health needs assessment/s. These can include improving behavioral health, homelessness, substance abuse services, food insecurity, basic needs such as housing, jobs and food, and more.

Yolo Food Bank, in partnership with Yolo County Children’s Alliance (YCCA) and Rural Innovations in Social Economics (RISE), aims to provide monthly free culturally appropriate food boxes to families in need in Yolo County. The food bank received $60,000 from Dignity Health’s grant program.

In direct response to data showing almost 40% of households with children are experiencing food insecurity, YFB will provide a combination of fresh produce and shelf-stable goods to families with young children ages 0-5 that are food insecure.

According to a release from Dignity Health, YFP’s proposal for the funds included hiring a Nutrition Intern to provide families with supplemental bilingual nutrition education materials such as menu plans and recipe cards. The Nutrition Intern will also participate in home visits and will lead nutrition education workshops.