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Clearwater, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: Many older adults in Pinellas County face food insecurity and lack access to nutritious meals due to transportation barriers and limited cooking facilities. To address this, 360 Eats purchased commercial freezers and refrigerators and expanded storage for rescued food. This enabled its mobile kitchen to deliver over 1,300 chef-prepared meals to older adults at six sites. The upgrade also supported pop-up meal service for hurricane-displaced residents. The project improved health and reduced isolation by bringing meals directly to older adults. One recipient said, "You're really giving us what we need: a real meal," and noting how important nutrition is to him.
Miami, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: In downtown Miami, where green space is scarce and many older adults face isolation, Friends of The Underline launched the Walk4Life walking club to help residents connect and stay active. Participants met weekly for guided walks and stretching along the new urban trail, with a solar-powered kiosk tracking miles and celebrating progress. More than 200 people joined the 10-week program, creating friendships and routines that extended beyond the walks. "This is the only time I push myself," said one participant, noting how the group gave her strength and purpose. The project proved that even simple movement, especially when shared outdoors, can bridge communities and improve well-being.
Alliance, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: Alliance's food desert left older adults without nearby access to fresh groceries. StarkFresh opened a nonprofit store in an opportunity zone, creating local food access and jobs while offering SNAP produce discounts. The store's grand opening marked a permanent solution for residents who previously faced long walks to limited options. One customer shared, "This is perfect for my mother... she just has to walk across the street-it is very convenient for her."
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Hood River, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: To demonstrate ways to make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, the City of Hood River created Streets Alive. They held the pop-up event on two busy streets, adding enhanced crosswalk markings, curb bump-outs and a protected bike lane, which kept cyclists separated from cars during the week of the event. More than 1,000 people gathered to walk, bike and engage with their neighbors. The event featured activities such as yoga and dance classes.Following the tactical urbanism project, the City worked to implement many traffic calming and safety concepts permanently.
Glenwood, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Disaster Preparedness
Description: This project will conduct a educational campaign to help residents with disaster preparedness. A brochure will include a map of evacuation routes and a community training session will be held for older adults.
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