Grants: More than $147,000 to promote wellness in Reid Health service area

Reid Health Community Benefit is awarding $147,030 in grants for programs designed to promote physical activity, good nutrition and healthy weight.

The grants represent the second awards of two grant cycles for the year. Grants, along with other specific outreach and requirements to meet the system's not-for-profit status, have put almost $176 million back into the community in the last five years. A committee of Reid Health's governing board and community members reviews grant requests. The grants are awarded as part of the health system's efforts as a mission-driven, not-for-profit organization.

The grants include:

• $1,400 to Amigos Latino Center to fund the Annual Amigos Health Fair.
• $10,775 to Birth to Five to support the Parents as Teachers program.
• $11,800 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County to support Clubfit programming expenses.
• $2,000 to Circle U Help Center for the healthy shelf stable food program.
• $2,225 to Columbia Community Center, Inc., for playground equipment and to create an area encouraging increased physical activity.
• $2,000 to Communities in Schools of Wayne County to fund supplies for physical activity programming at Wayne County schools.
• $35,000 to Connersville Parks & Recreation to renovate and establish tennis and Pickleball courts in Roberts Park to increase access to exercise opportunities.
• $2,115 to Cope Environmental Center tosupport the Hike Yourself Healthy and the Get Outside-Play programs.
• $2,100 to Council on Rural Service Programs to provide Darke County, Ohio, youth with access to fitness opportunities.
• $2,000 to Gateway Hunger Relief Center to support healthy supplies for the child box program.
• $5,000 to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana to support the Produce Hope program in multiple counties in Reid Health service area.
• $2,000 to Hope Center to support the Healthy with Hope program, educating clients on good food choices and providing healthy recipe kits.
• $3,000 to Natco Community Empowerment Center - Love Makes Cents to support the Healthy You, Healthy Me series to educate adults and children about nutrition, physical activity and weight.
• $12,300 to Richmond Farmers Market to support the SNAP Double Dollars Program.
• $4,804 to Richmond Friends School for playground equipment in the back outdoor classroom.
• $2,729 to Richmond Parks & Recreation to support the walking club and kids triathlon, part of the "Get Healthy in our Parks" series.
• $3,475 to Richmond Parks & Recreation to support the Just Us Kids Outdoors series.
• $13,365 to Richmond Parks & Recreation to support revitalization of Middlefork Reservoir, including a boat fleet to create new exercise opportunities.
• $3,300 to the Richmond Youth Football League to fund purchase of new helmets in compliance with concussion safety standards for youth.
• $11,692 to Wayne County Cardinal Greenway to support the walking-running training, and free bike rental programs.
• $2,500 to YMCA of Darke County to support the Diabetes Education and Weight Loss programs.
• $11,450 to the YMCA of Greater Dayton to support the Diabetes Prevention and Livestrong Program.

Details, videos

Community benefit is the basis of the tax-exempt status of not-for-profit hospitals. Community benefit is defined as programs or activities that improve access to health services, enhance public health, advance increased general knowledge, and/or relieve the burden of government to improve health. In 2010, the Affordable Care Act added new requirements for tax-exempt hospitals in the areas of community health needs assessment (CHNA), implementation strategy, billing and collections and reporting. In 2014 the IRS issued final rules implementing these requirements. The goals of these provisions are to ensure that tax-exempt hospitals are meeting the health needs of their communities and to ensure greater transparency and accountability.

In addition to grants, the Reid Health Community Benefit sponsors various programs focused on community health, specifically in the areas of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Weight, and Access to Care.

Related link: www.Reidcommunities.org