Foundation Receives $15,000 Rite Aid KidCents Grant

LYNNWOOD, WA  –  The Foundation for Edmonds School District has been awarded a $15,000 Rite Aid Foundation KidCents Regional Grant in support of Nourishing Network food and family assistance programs.

“The effects of undernourishment on a child’s school performance and long-term health and wellness are understood” said Deborah Anderson, Executive Director of the Foundation for Edmonds School District. “The Nourishing Network began as a weekend meal program but has grown, as the needs in our district have grown, to include coordinated, comprehensive supports for more than 250 of our most vulnerable students and their families. We thank The Rite Aid Foundation for helping to fund these essential services with this grant.”

The Nourishing Network was created in partnership with and at the request of the Edmonds School District to provide meals and services to hungry and homeless students and their families. Programs include Weekend Meal Kits, Summer Meals Program, Pop-Up Pantries, and holiday meals. Almost 33 percent of students in the Edmonds School District are eligible for free or reduced lunch and an estimated 600 will experience homelessness during the school year.

The KidCents Regional Grant Program, which provides grants of $15,000-$30,000, significantly expands the reach of KidCents by funding specific out-of-school-time programs focused on children’s nutrition, physical fitness and academic success. The KidCents program also annually supports a select group of more than 400 nonprofit, kid-focused organizations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of children living in the communities Rite Aid serves and national organizations focused on critical children’s issues, including The Fred Rogers Company, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Folds of Honor.

“We created the KidCents program to ensure that kids have a chance for better lives and brighter futures,” said Tracy Henderson, director of The Rite Aid Foundation and charitable giving initiatives. “With the introduction of the KidCents Regional Grant program, we are expanding our efforts even more while filling a need for valuable out-of-school-time programming. In addition, we are enabling our partner nonprofit organizations to implement innovative, ground-breaking programs that advance children’s health and wellbeing and promote academic growth.”

KidCents Regional Grants support nonprofit organizations with programs that serve children, from newborn to 18 years of age, and improve the quality of life in Rite Aid communities.The grants support three of KidCents’ primary focus areas for improving the health and wellbeing of children: healthy eating, active living and education.

Through KidCents, members of Rite Aid’s loyalty program, wellness+ rewards,can round up their in-store or online purchases to the nearest dollar and give their change to one of more than 400 nonprofit organizations focused on improving the health and wellbeing of children. For more information, visit www.kidcents.com.

Since its inception in 2001, The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded more than $50 million to nonprofit organizations. Additionally, Rite Aid, through the efforts of its customers, supplier partners and associates, has also raised more than $87 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country since 1994. 

For 35 years, the Foundation for Edmonds School District has supported students, teachers and schools by putting money raised where it enhances student learning the most — directly into schools and classrooms. With an all-volunteer board and active community participants, the Foundation successfully provides Edmonds School District with a dynamic partnership in educating our children. www.foundationesd.org

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