Milwaukee, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: To encourage healthy movement and eating, this project conducted walking tours for older adults in three neighborhoods, culminating in cooking demonstrations using ingredients found in those neighborhoods.

Elkton, MD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: This project will help convert the organization's kitchen and on-site greenhouse into a learning garden-to-table experience to increase the overall health, independence and employability for people age 50 and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Flemington, NJ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: The Harvest Family Success Center aimed to help older residents to improve and maintain their health through a better diet. As part of their efforts, the nonprofit established its Cooks Books program. Organizers set up a free, weekly outdoor produce market. Older adults in the community also received weekly wellness phone calls, which served as check-ins to assess their mental state and financial health. In addition, the Center created a library of health and wellness books. Since the initiative launched local businesses and community groups have stepped in to provide additional resources, including access to a dietician. In addition, project organizers report that during the COVID-19 pandemic the market and wellness check-ins helped older adults in the community avoid social isolation.