As you read headlines about major issues facing our country, you might be asking yourself how these issues affect our neighbors here in the Eagle River Valley. As part of our monthly newsletter, we will be featuring our scope on issues and how they are affecting our community and our mission.
The passing of the 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill will provide vital investments in child nutrition programs, while causing cuts to SNAP, causing hardship for many households. Local nonprofit, Eagle Valley Community Foundation is considering the effects right here in Eagle County.
Vital anti-hunger programs should never be pitted against each other. To revoke emergency benefit allotments prematurely will increase food insecurity and stress a charitable food system amid a years-long hunger crisis.
The Eagle Valley Community Foundation is actively working with partners, like Eagle County Government, to inform SNAP recipients of the change and connect households to additional food resources including its programs The Community Market and MIRA.
While the U.S. is certainly on more stable footing than in 2020, households are now struggling with high food costs — grocery prices are continuing to rise— making the timing of the SNAP cuts particularly challenging. According to the Food Research & Action Center, an anti-hunger advocacy group, people will on average lose about $82 of SNAP benefits a month. That means a family of four could see their monthly benefit cut by about $328 a month. The worst-hit could be elderly Americans, they could see their SNAP payments tumble from $281 to as little as $23 per month.
As we continue to navigate these challenges, we appreciate the work of our collaborative partners and your tremendous financial support. We hope you will consider supporting the increased need in our community as charitable food systems work to feed those in need. For love of community.
Eagle Valley Community Foundation (EVCF) provides direct service programs, such as The Community Market and The MIRA Bus, to our local community members in need. Eagle Valley Community Foundation aims to deliver barrier free solutions focused on healthy foods and wellness resource connections.
For more information about Grace you can read her bio here. In her role Grace loves connecting with donors and community partners about the impact of their support. Click here to schedule a meeting with Grace to learn more about current happenings at Eagle Valley Community Foundation.
Here in Eagle County, more than 8,700 residents deal with food insecurity. The Community Market (TCM) provides access to free, nutrient-rich food throughout the County with markets featuring a variety of fresh produce, dairy, healthy proteins and breads as well as shelf-stable grocery items, all available for each customer’s own choosing.
Volunteer Groups: WIN-win
Eagle Valley Community Foundation's Community Market was so excited to have volunteers from the Women's Impact Network of Eagle County. Women's Impact Network of Eagle County includes a diverse group of local Eagle County women who aim to support students in the community as they pursue their life goals and dreams. Thank you to the women of WIN for their support and partnership in ensuring that our neighbors in need have access to healthy food resources.
Edwards Elementary School Donation
Thank you to the student leaders from Edwards Elementary School for their support of The Community Market. They researched nonprofits in the community and chose Eagle Valley Community Foundation to benefit from their fundraising efforts. Through their efforts they raised over $400. We are so grateful for the next generation of student leaders in our community.
We love volunteer groups! Contact Karen Nicknair, Programs Supervisor
for The Community Market, with your questions and to inquire about groups: karen@eaglevalleycf.org or call/text 970-445-4976
The MIRA program MIRA Bus - Camión MIRA, under the leadership of Eagle Valley Community Foundation, provides support to deliver basic health education and screenings, support in applying to public assistance programs, food resources, workforce development, coordination with early childhood programming and more.
Healthy Relationships with Lisa Kunkel
While Valentine's Day may bring special celebrations and an added sense of love for many, it proves a rather heartbreaking and challenging day for others. Lisa Kunkel, LCSW, shared helpful tips from her Healthy Relationships class with MIRA Program Manager, Dariza Martinez. Healthy hearts and healthy minds.
Heart, Health and Diabetes: All Year
Valentine's Day is not the only day to think about your heart. MIRA Bus FREE health screenings! We partner with Mountain Family Health and Vail Health to connect community members with free Health, Heart and Diabetes clinical resources and screenings on our Bus on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays of each week. We are helping to keep hearts, bodies and minds healthy all year long.
Congratulations to ALL the local businesses, organizations and individuals nominated for the 20th Annual VVP Success Awards!
Our Foundation and our Programs are thrilled to be recognized among the many wonderful organizations helping our valley to thrive! Thank you, Vail Valley.
