It was a big check and big benefit day for the Knox County Public Schools.
CHI Saint Joseph London awarded $50,000 in grant funding to the Kentucky Communities Economic Opportunity Council (KCEOC) Community Action Partnership for collaboration and use by the Knox County Public Schools.
“KCEOC, with Knox County Public Schools, demonstrates incredible dedication to addressing food insecurity and fostering healthier communities in our community,” said John Yanes, president of Saint Joseph London. “We are honored to support their efforts and look forward to the positive, lasting impact this grant funding will bring to the region.”
KCEOC received $50,000 to help address the immediate need for emergency food assistance while educating families about healthy eating and budget-friendly cooking. KCEOC will work with the Knox County Public Schools in the outreach of these needs.
“Knox County Public Schools is honored to expand our partnership with CHI Saint Joseph Health and Saint Joseph London by receiving this latest grant,” said Superintendent Jeremy Ledford “This goes beyond providing food for our students. It will go beyond basic necessities, offering students valuable skills that will impact their future. Budgeting and healthy meal choices are important lessons that will have a lifelong impact.”
“The first part is addressing the non-academic barriers, which CHI Saint Joseph is assisting us do. Food insecurities face many of our students, who may live with blended families, relatives, older adults, all with limited income.
“In order for students to come to school ready to learn, they must have access to nutritional food.”
Across Kentucky, CHI Saint Joseph Health awarded $493,910 through the grant program. Locally, DeLisa Estes, family resource center coordinator at Lay Elementary, and Gina Sears, pupil personnel director, wrote the grants and with the support of KCEOC, provided CHI with the evidence and data needs that our schools need support. The KCPS priorities aligned with Saint Joseph London’s most recent community health needs assessment, which is conducted every three years to help hospitals and community partners identify and address the health and social needs of residents and the region.
“We are excited to be selected in this round of grant awards by CHI,” said Estes. “Until you visit our children’s homes and hear about their needs, you will not understand what impact this grant will make.”
About Saint Joseph London
Saint Joseph London is a 150-bed full-service hospital located in London, Kentucky. Established in 1926, the facility serves patients from southeastern Kentucky, including those from Clay, Laurel, Jackson, Whitley, Knox and Pulaski counties. The current $152 million regional hospital opened in 2010, and offers all private patient rooms, with most overlooking a small lake and garden on the 52-acre healing environment.