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Contact: Carol Harmon, The Columbus Foundation, charmon@columbusfoundation.org, 614/251-4000


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Medical Mutual of Ohio Charitable Fund Announces Grants to Encourage a Healthy Future for Columbus Youth

COLUMBUS, OH (February 15, 2017)—The Medical Mutual of Ohio Charitable Fund recently awarded grants totaling $150,000 to support central Ohio nonprofit organizations working with youth and their families in programs focused on food choices, cooking, and exercise to promote a healthy lifestyle.

The Medical Mutual Charitable Fund advisors selected five organizations with a mission to improve the health of central Ohio youth.

“From dance, biking, and running to access to fresh foods and cooking classes,” said Jared Chaney, EVP of Medical Mutual, “these programs are tackling the exact problems we started the fund to address.”

Pictured, back row (l-r) Greg Henneman, Community Development for All People; Adam Fazio, Local Matters; Charles Noble, Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services; Jared Chaney, Medical Mutual of Ohio; Amber Hulme, Medical Mutual of Ohio; Joy Bevins, Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services. Front row (l-r): John Edgar, Community Development for All People; Michelle Moskowitz Brown, Local Matters; Bill Owens, Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center; Jessica Sparks, Girls on the Run; Monica Kridler, Momentum; and Andrea Hogben, Medical Mutual of Ohio


The fund, established at the Foundation as a Field of Interest Fund in 2008, specifically supports health and wellness programs for youth in Franklin County. To date, a total of nearly $1.3 million has been granted to central Ohio nonprofits serving these needs.

“Medical Mutual’s ongoing commitment to focus on the health and wellbeing of our community’s youth is meaningful,” said Douglas F. Kridler, President and CEO of The Columbus Foundation. “The opportunities provided through these grants allow young people and their families to participate in activities they may never have had the chance to do but for this generosity.”

The following grants were awarded:

Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center—$40,000 to focus on food choices, food preparation, and family connection to reduce and prevent obesity.

Community Development for All People—$50,000 to include cooking demonstrations and classroom activities for the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School summer program, increase participation in the Fresh Market, add exercise opportunities for youth through Bikes for All People, and coordinate healthy meals through a kit.

Girls on the Run of Franklin County—$25,000 will allow an additional 210 girls across seven sites to participate in the program.

Local Matters—$25,000 to support ten 24-week Food Matters courses and complimentary parent-engagement programming for children and their caregivers.

Momentum-Excellence Inc.—$10,000 to provide operating support to fund 1,500 children through the 30-week anchor program.

 


About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor® to more than 2,500 individuals, families, businesses, and communities that have created unique funds to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible. More than 70 years strong, The Columbus Foundation is the seventh largest community foundation in the United States. The Foundation’s online giving marketplace, PowerPhilanthropy®, makes it possible for everyone to access valuable information about nonprofit organizations in central Ohio. Visit columbusfoundation.org to learn more.

 


About Medical Mutual
Founded in 1934, Medical Mutual of Ohio is the oldest and largest health insurance company based in Ohio. For more than 80 years, the company has served customers with high-quality, affordable group and personal health insurance plans, and third-party administrative services to self-insured group customers. As a mutual health insurance company, Medical Mutual is unique in that it operates for the benefit of its members. Unlike publicly-traded insurance companies that must maximize their financial return, Medical Mutual does not answer to stockholders or Wall Street analysts.  For more information, visit the company’s award-winning website at MedMutual.com.

 

DATE
February 15, 2017