Monticello, IA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: Food insecurity and limited access to affordable, healthy meals left many residents, especially older adults, without resources to learn cost-saving cooking skills. The library addressed this by purchasing a mobile kitchen cart equipped for demonstrations and hands-on classes. Programs ranged from story times for children to adult sessions on preserving food, cooking on a budget and using local produce. The cart sparked community interest, drawing new participants and partnerships with farms and advocates. Attendees praised the classes, and the library plans to expand offerings, including appliance-focused workshops and summer literacy programs tied to cooking.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Clifton, NJ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: Passaic County faced high food insecurity, leaving many older adults without reliable access to nutritious meals. To restore dignity and choice, The Food Brigade opened a client-choice pantry modeled like a grocery store, complete with aisles, carts, refrigeration and ADA-access ramps. Volunteers stocked shelves with culturally appropriate foods and healthier options. The pantry now empowers residents to shop for what they need and has inspired other pantries to adopt similar models. "It's such a great feeling to be able to take what you need as opposed to what you can afford," shared one client, reflecting its impact on well-being.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Milwaukee, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: Organizers with Milwaukee Turners hoped to break down barriers between different neighborhoods, all while eduating residents about healthy eating. The nonprofit worked with local community organizations to host walking tours through the Riverwest-Harambee, Metcalfe Park and Walker's Point/South Side neighborhoods. Recognizing that Milwaukee remains segregated, organizers intentionally chose participating neighborhoods from across the city to showcase the community's diversity. People who lived or worked in each neighborhood led the tours, where they shared personal stories and area history. In turn, walk participants asked questions and discussed their own lived experiences. Each walk culminated in a cooking demonstration. Many parts of Milwaukee are food deserts, so featured recipes incorporated healthy, affordable ingredients that residents can easily obtain in their neighborhoods. In the future, Milwaukee Turners hopes to host more walks in additional areas of Milwaukee.