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Springfield, IL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: A new online order system and optional curbside pickup at Springfield's Old Capitol Farmers Market reduced shoppers' risk of COVID-19 exposure. The improvements ensured that older adults and SNAP users could access fresh and healthy food from the popular market. Downtown Springfield Inc. replaced SNAP tokens with Healthy Ways scannable cards, which limit the need for physical contact at checkout. Following the change, the market saw an increase in SNAP transactions. In addition, more than 150 community members took advantage of the curbside option, which reduced in-person foot traffic and provided a safe shopping alternative to those most at risk.

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, SD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: Organizers wanted to ensure the Red Cloud Indian School's weekly farmers market was welcoming to elders. The Pine Ridge Reservation is a food desert, but the market offers residents access to fresh produce, as well as ingredients for traditional foods, teas and medicines. To attract older adults to the market, they launched Elder Hours, which feature traditional cooking demonstrations and other educational offerings. They also added wayfinding signage to help elders navigate to parking spaces and seating near vendors, which market organizers specifically set aside for older adults. To help people transport their purchases, Red Cloud purchased branded tote bags, which they distribute to elders who visit the market. Project organizers hope the outreach efforts help decrease longstanding health disparities among tribal members.

Hazard, KY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: This project installed equipment, including workbenches, a 3-D printer, pipe benders and a drill press, to bolster a program in which volunteers refurbish used medical equipment and adapt toys to aid people with disabilities.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Tulsa, OK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: This project will support operations at a community garden. The organization will provide older adult gardeners with accessibility assists, including knee pads and rolling chairs. Additionally, they will launch nutrition education programming at the garden.

Tulsa, OK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services

Description: This project will provide home safety upgrades to housebound older adults. Improvements include smoke detector, handrail and grab bar installation, as well as modifications to accommodate wheelchairs.

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