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Grantee Spotlight: Virginia Peninsula Foodbank

Grantee Spotlight: Virginia Peninsula Foodbank

Grantee Spotlight: Virginia Peninsula Foodbank

By: WHF Staff 

As inflation and food costs have increased in recent years, more community members are struggling to provide healthy food for their families. According to the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank (VPF), nearly nine percent of greater Peninsula residents lack access to affordable and nutritious food. VPF and their partner agencies saw more than 77,000 unduplicated individuals seek food assistance in 2023, a 30% increase over 2022. VPF works “to inspire hope by leading the effort for a hunger-free and properly nourished community” through partnerships with 140 agencies to distribute food to those in need across the Peninsula. In collaboration with agency partners, VPF distributed over 1.7 million meals to Greater Williamsburg residents in 2023. Beyond partnerships, VPF is supported by community volunteers who invested more than 20,000 hours sorting, packing, and delivering food in 2023. 

The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) provides grant funding for VPF’s Mobile Food Pantry and the Food for Kids BackPack Programs. Their Mobile Food Pantry distributed 547,713 meals in the WHF service area in 2023, and the BackPack Program will provide food to nearly 370 children to take home from seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and a pre-K program in Williamsburg/James City County throughout the 2023-2024 school year. 

Visit the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank website to learn more or locate a food distribution site near you. 

The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is a private legacy health foundation with the mission to collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in September 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara developed an affiliation agreement and later merged. This agreement included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $106 million in grants to improve community health and well-being. 

Grantee Spotlight: Older Adults and Social Isolation

Grantee Spotlight: Older Adults and Social Isolation

Grantee Spotlight: Older Adults and Social Isolation

By Williamsburg Health Foundation 

In May 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, issued an advisory  addressing the profound health impacts of social isolation and loneliness. This report underscored severe health risks, such as a reduced lifespan and an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, anxiety, depression, and dementia. Termed the “loneliness epidemic,” this problem affects individuals across all ages and demographics but can have a particularly negative impact on older adults. A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Consensus Study Report reported that almost one-quarter of older adults aged 65 and above, living independently, experience social isolation. The Surgeon General’s report notes the cost of the health effects related to social isolation in older adults accounts for almost $7 billion of Medicare spending each year. 

 

Community Partners Addressing Isolation   

The 2022 Sentara Community Health Needs Assessment revealed that in 2020, nearly 23% of people living in the Greater Williamsburg area and surrounding localities was over 65, with growth projected to more than 26% by 2030. With such a substantial segment of our community classified as older adults, the Williamsburg Health Foundation is grateful for the many community agencies working daily to address isolation in older adults, including but not limited to the following organizations: 

 

The Peninsula Agency on Aging’s (PAA) mission is to advocate for policies and distribute resources to enhance the quality of life for older adults and family caregivers. PAA fulfills this commitment by offering in-home care, home-delivered meals, dining clubs, and transportation. These valuable services help older adults foster a sense of social connection while providing access to community resources. 

 

The R.F. Wilkinson Family YMCA has offered programs aimed at building a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all in the Greater Williamsburg area since 2007. Their Active Older Adults program focuses on providing older adults with opportunities to remain socially active and healthy. Through social activities, fitness, and volunteer programs, the YMCA keeps older adults active and engaged, reduces social isolation, and boosts the quality of life for older members of our community.  

 

Williamsburg Faith in Action (WFIA) unites transportation and volunteer support services for older adults in Greater Williamsburg. WFIA aids with transportation, shopping, caregiver support, and household chores. Wendy Satchell, WFIA’s Executive Director, recounted a story of a homebound WFIA care receiver who had been the primary caregiver for her husband until his recent passing. When a WFIA volunteer arrived to deliver her mail, she was overjoyed with the opportunity for conversation. Since her late husband’s care team no longer visited, she felt lonely and disconnected. Today, WFIA volunteers make regular visits and phone calls, providing companionship and connection. 

 

We All Have a Role to Play  

Like these organizations and many others working to increase social interaction and combat isolation among older adults in the Greater Williamsburg area, we as community members can make a difference. We can start by reaching out to check on the older adults in our lives and in our neighborhoods. Together, we can make progress in reducing social isolation in our community.

Grantee Spotlight: Enhancing Mobility with F.R.E.E.

Grantee Spotlight: Enhancing Mobility with F.R.E.E.

Grantee Spotlight: Enhancing Mobility with F.R.E.E.

By

WHF Staff

As the weather warms and flowers bloom, Williamsburg area residents look forward to putting their coats away and heading outside to enjoy the beauty spring brings. However, for individuals experiencing mobility challenges due to health conditions or recent surgeries, navigating both indoors and outdoors can be challenging. The Foundation for Rehabilitation Equipment & Endowment (F.R.E.E.), a non-profit organization in Virginia, addresses mobility-related barriers by increasing access to mobility aids for those who qualify.

Between July 2022 and June 2023, the Williamsburg office of F.R.E.E. located in Sentara Circle provided 670 pieces of mobility equipment to 410 individuals in Greater Williamsburg. F.R.E.E. aims to ensure low-income uninsured or underinsured adults in Virginia have access to equipment that facilitates independence and maximizes quality of life by collecting, sanitizing, and distributing donated aids, such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and specialized equipment.

As spring brings more outdoor opportunities to the Greater Williamsburg area, we are grateful for the efforts of our partners at F.R.E.E. Their work enables our community to be a more accessible place for residents with mobility restrictions and aligns with the Williamsburg Health Foundation’s vision of individuals making healthy choices in a community with health opportunities for all. See https://www.free-foundation.org/ to learn more about F.R.E.E.

The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is a non-profit private legacy health foundation with the mission to collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg. The Foundation was established in 1996 when the Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara formed a merger that included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed Foundation to benefit community health. Since inception, WHF has awarded over $106 M in grants to improve community health and well-being.

A Full Plate: Reflecting on the Community’s Role in Nourishing Our Neighbors 

A Full Plate: Reflecting on the Community’s Role in Nourishing Our Neighbors 

By: Deb Fisher

Growing up in a family that watched every penny, my mother’s arrival with bags full of groceries from one of our local churches was always a reason for celebration for my five siblings and me. I remember our excitement while helping our mother put the food away and our anticipation of trying new, mysterious treats that our parents would not usually buy. These bags, filled with new foods, brought a sense of excitement to our dinner table.  

It was not until I matured that I began to understand that the food my mom brought home was from a community food pantry and that we were a family who needed assistance. Despite our limited means, my family of eight never experienced the pangs of hunger thanks to the generosity of our neighbors and programs designed to help keep families fed when faced with challenging times.  

 

Now, as a Communications Specialist for the Williamsburg Health Foundation, I am honored to be part of an organization supporting local organizations that work to address the same food insecurity issues that touched my family. I have had eye-opening conversations with those at the helm of food pantries in the Greater Williamsburg area about our community’s growing needs. Declines in personal and grocery store contributions forced some pantries to dip into their emergency funds so families in Greater Williamsburg have access to nutritious food.  

 

The Williamsburg Health Foundation continues to respond to this critical need. Reflecting our commitment to the health and well-being of this community, the Foundation recently awarded a total of $100,000 — $20,000 each to five local sites — FISH, Grove Christian Outreach Center, The Salvation Army, Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, and Williamsburg House of Mercy.  

 

This is deeply personal. Thinking of our community members receiving help – I reflect on my family who sometimes chose between a meal and a medical bill, rent, or a utility payment. Staff and volunteers of these agencies, and this funding, help ensure families have a lifeline and will not have to make difficult choices alone. 

Williamsburg Health Foundation Welcomes New Board Members

Williamsburg Health Foundation Welcomes New Board Members

Williamsburg Health Foundation Welcomes New Board Members

By

WHF Staff

The Williamsburg Health Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of two esteemed professionals, Rhiannon Hartman and Lawrence B. Pulley, to its Board of Trustees.

Rhiannon Hartman brings a wealth of legal expertise to the board. Hartman is currently an estate planning practitioner at Carrell Blanton Ferris & Associates in Williamsburg and a former The Heritage Law Group employee. She obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2010 after completing her BS at William & Mary in 2004. A Williamsburg resident for over 15 years, Hartman is deeply committed to the community where she raises her two children. She also serves as a Board Member for the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia, highlighting her dedication to legal service and community welfare.

 

Lawrence B. Pulley is a respected figure in academia and business. As the emeritus dean and TC and Elizabeth Clarke professor at the Raymond A. Mason School of Business at William & Mary, Pulley brings a rich background in economics and education. A proud Phi Betta Kappa graduate of William & Mary in 1974, he earned his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Virginia. His career includes notable roles such as assistant professor of economics at Brandeis University and significant leadership positions within the School of Business at William & Mary. Pulley’s expertise in banking industry structure, international payments, and portfolio management will significantly benefit the Foundation’s strategic direction.

 

The addition of Rhiannon Hartman and Lawrence B. Pulley to the Board of Trustees signifies the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to leveraging diverse expertise for community health improvement. Their combined experience in legal affairs, academia, and economics will be solid contributions to the Foundation’s mission to “Collaborate, innovate, and invest to impact systems that improve the health and well-being of individuals living in Greater Williamsburg.”

 

Williamsburg Health Foundation Awards Nearly $1.1 Million to Local Organizations

WILLIAMSBURG, VA – The Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF) is pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees has approved funding totaling $1,099,300 to organizations providing health-related services to those living in Greater Williamsburg. These grants represent WHF’s dedication to enhancing the health and well-being of the community.

 

“These investments illustrate our commitment to fostering long-term partnerships and embracing new opportunities,” said WHF President & CEO, Deanna Van Hersh. “Along with continued support for health-related programs, we are excited to provide first-time grants for efforts that align with our community’s evolving needs.”

 

A substantial portion of this funding, over $500,000, is earmarked for behavioral health services. “As the pandemic’s aftereffects persist, the need for mental health services remains high,” explained Bill Pribble, Vice President of Programs. “Recognizing the elevated need, WHF has increased investment in behavioral health services to ensure vital community support continues uninterrupted.”

 

WHF has allocated $489,300 to support two-generation family services, healthy eating/active living, and healthy aging strategies that address behavioral and social risk factors throughout the lifespan. Highlights include a new collaboration with the Virginia Down Syndrome Association focused on enhanced care coordination and programming for Williamsburg area individuals with Down syndrome and their families and partial funding for the Active Older Adults program at the R.F. Wilkinson Family YMCA.

 

Community capacity building remains a key focus, with $99,500 directed toward efforts designed to increase the impact of the Williamsburg Community Growers and the Greater Williamsburg Trauma-Informed Community Network.

 

These are significant contributions toward a healthier, more vibrant Greater Williamsburg area. They reflect WHF’s resolve to address current challenges and proactively participate in shaping a healthier future for all community members. Please refer to the table below for a complete list of the awarded grants. To learn more about grant opportunities, visit www.williamsburghealthfoundation.org.

 

 

Organization Name Project Title Project Description Board Approved Amount
Grants for Community Capacity Building
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula Greater Williamsburg Trauma Informed Community Network (GW-TICN) To provide administrative support for the GW-TICN. $7,500
Williamsburg Community Growers Increase Our Impact To increase the impact of the community garden and teaching farm in James City County. $92,000
Grants for Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL)
The Arc of Greater Williamsburg Fitness Program To provide both clients and caregivers with activities and tools to improve the health of adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. $37,500
Grove Christian Outreach Center Refrigeration Units  To purchase and install new refrigeration units to meet the increased demand for food assistance by low-income families living in Grove. $50,000
Virginia Legacy Soccer Club Virginia Legacy WJCC Recreational Soccer Program To provide recreational soccer free of charge to children in the City of Williamsburg and James City County. $60,000
Virginia Peninsula Foodbank Mobile Food Pantry To provide fresh produce for the Williamsburg mobile food pantry program. $60,000
Grants to Support Two-Generation Family Services
Virginia Down Syndrome Association Williamsburg Community Coordinator To establish a Williamsburg staff position to provide family care coordination and programming for Greater Williamsburg Area families who have a member with Down syndrome. $46,800
Grants for Healthy Aging
Peninsula Agency on Aging Nutritious Noontime Meals To provide home-delivered nutritious meals for low-income, aged 60 and older, residents. $75,000
Peninsula Agency on Aging PAA RIDES To provide non-emergency medical transportation for older adults and people with disabilities. $130,000
YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas Active Older Adults @ the R.F. Wilkinson Family YMCA To expand social, physical, and educational efforts available to older adults at the R.F. Wilkinson Family YMCA. $15,000
Williamsburg Area Faith in Action In-Home Support Services To provide free, in-home support services for isolated older adults aged 60 and older living in Greater Williamsburg. $15,000
Grants for Behavioral Health Services
Bacon Street Youth and Family Services Support for Operations  To provide support for Bacon Street’s operations. $350,000
Center for Child and Family Services, Inc. The Reboot Program To provide trauma-informed assessments, individual, and/or group counseling for adults who are perpetrators of violence in intimate partner relationships and/or struggling with substance abuse. $133,000
Postpartum Support Virginia, Inc. Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies To increase opportunities in the Greater Williamsburg Area for recovery from perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and to create awareness among maternal and child-focused service organizations, healthcare, and behavioral health providers about PMADs. $20,000
Other Grants
The Doorways Support for Operations To help underwrite lodging and support services for patients (children and adults) and their families from the WHF service area. $7,500
$1,099,300