SANDRA MILBURN
Reno County Communications Specialist
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A special event was held Tuesday as a check for $25,000 was presented to the Food Bank of Reno County, as part of the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas (Pathways) grant, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) initiative. Participating in the check presentation event were Virginia Barnes, BCBSKS, Candace Davidson, Reno County Health Department and Heal Reno County, Karlene Clarke, BCBSKS, Penny Taapken, Food Bank of Reno County Director, and Michelle Vakulenko, BCBSKS.
The Food Bank of Reno County signed a pledge agreement that affirmed their commitment to taking on new opportunities to provide greater access to healthy food for consumers of their services. To fulfill this pledge, the Food Bank of Reno County commits to using the Healthy Eating Research nutrition standards (HER Standards.) It will assess the current conditions of the food pantry/food bank, develop a policy to phase in healthy food from a variety of food sources over the course of at least five years, work with donors, food pantry clients, food pantry staff and volunteers to implement identified changes and will share all policies with the coalition and BCBSKS to build a portfolio of best practices.
The funds received from the Pathways grant will be used by the Food Bank of Reno County towards a refrigerator and freezer for $13,400, tablets for HER Standards tracking at approximately $1,000 and a Volunteer Coordinator at approximately $10,500. Heal Reno County will be providing an additional $10,000 towards the Food Bank of Reno County Volunteer Coordinator role.
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