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The Food Bank of South Jersey has received a $25,000 grant from The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey to expand its Eating Well and Diabetes program across Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties.

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PENNSAUKEN, NEW JERSEY – The Food Bank of South Jersey – South Jersey’s largest hunger-relief organization and a member of the Feeding America network of national food banks – has received a grant in the amount of $25,000 from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The donation, made through The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, supports the Food Bank’s diabetes programing across Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties.

“We could not be more grateful to The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey for supporting us as we work to provide stability to food-insecure families throughout South Jersey,” reports Fred C. Wasiak, President & CEO of the Food Bank of South Jersey. “The goal of this health and wellness program is to provide economically disadvantaged individuals, currently at a risk for or currently living with diabetes, to learn to better manage their condition and improve their overall health through nutrition.”

The Food Bank’s Diabetes programming, CDC Prevent T2, aims to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes among pre-diabetic individuals. The program provides evidence-based educational sessions, a peer support group and positive behavior reinforcement items for participants living within Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties. For each completed session, participants are eligible for a grocery gift card. For the completion of at least one health screening or risk assessment, participants are eligible for an additional grocery gift card. All participants receive healthy behavior reinforcement items like infuser water bottles, exercise stretch bands, bathroom scales and measuring cups and spoons. For additional support, the Food Bank of South Jersey hosts a Facebook group which serves as a platform for discussion, encouragement, healthy recipe sharing and referrals.

ABOUT THE HORIZON FOUNDATION FOR NEW JERSEY
The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is committed to working alongside those who can help us improve our neighbors’ health, inform their health decisions and inspire them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. The Foundation’s mission is to support organization’s that make New Jersey healthier. The Foundation has three funding pillars, Caring, Connecting and Creating. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is the sole member of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, both of which are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information please visit http://community.horizonblue.com. Follow @HZNFoundation for updates about The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey programs, grants and the activities of our grantees. Follow @HorizonBCBSNJ for up-to-date news and updates about Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.


ABOUT FOOD BANK OF SOUTH JERSEY
Marking its 36th year in 2021, the Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) is the leader in providing safe and nutritional food to people in need throughout South Jersey. FBSJ distributes food, provides nutrition education and cooking courses, and helps food-insecure families and seniors find sustainable ways to improve their lives. Throughout 2019, FBSJ distributed over 15 million pounds of food, more than 230,000 summer meals and over 17,500 senior food boxes, as well as serving 95 health and wellness programs to more than 11,700 residents. Providing community impact through local support, FBSJ ensures that local donations stay local. FBSJ is a member of Feeding America, our nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. During 2020, with COVID-19 bringing school closures, stay-at-home orders, record-breaking unemployment and rising poverty, FBSJ distributed more than 22.5 million pounds of food – the equivalent of over 18.7 million meals – throughout four-county region of impact, increasing its partner agency network to over 200 and serving over 95,000 food-insecure South Jersey residents each month, including the distribution of nearly one million nutritious breakfasts and lunches to South Jersey’s food-insecure children and youths. To learn more, visit www.foodbanksj.org. On Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn, follow the Food Bank of South Jersey @foodbankSJ.

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