The James C. Kennedy Wellness Center and the Tallahatchie General Hospital Medical Foundation were recently awarded a $60,000 grant from Molina Healthcare of Mississippi for the continuation of Charleston’s Food as Medicine Food Prescription Program.
The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi chose the program to receive this portion of Molina’s funding to address food insecurity in the Mississippi Delta.
The program provides Charleston residents monthly gift cards to be used at SuperValu to purchase fresh and frozen produce, fresh meats and fish, eggs and butter. The program not only provides increased access to fresh, healthy foods, but participants also receive health coaching to improve health, lifestyle and dietary habits.
The program originally started in 2020 and was initially funded by the Walmart Foundation in partnership with the University of Mississippi. When that grant ended in 2023, Jim Kennedy’s foundation provided funding for 2024. The program will continue with Molina’s funding in 2025.
The program is currently at capacity, serving 143 individuals and 50 households.
“We are extremely grateful for this funding and opportunity and to be able to continue such an impactful program. It continues to positively benefit families in our community and allows them to use food as medicine to improve their health and well-being, while also not having to stress as much about money for groceries,” Wellness Center Executive Director Catherine Moring said. “We are very appreciative of and grateful for our long-term partners like Mr. Kennedy, the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi and the University of Mississippi, and especially grateful for new partners like Molina Healthcare.”
