PWNA receives a Grant from the Walmart Foundation for Nutritional Impact in Native American Communities

Today, we’re excited to announce that Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA) has received a $258,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to help fund programs that support nutrition and healthier living on the reservations PWNA assists across the country.

The grant will be used to address the critical needs of Native Americans who suffer from the highest poverty rates in the U.S., yet receive less than one percent of the nation’s charitable giving. Funds will support enhanced food distribution, nutritional education, community garden projects, cooking and canning training and a mobile nutrition and training unit for tribal communities in the Southwest region where PWNA currently provides other services.

PWNA sought the grant from the Walmart Foundation to advance a variety of essential nutrition services that will help improve health through higher quality foods and training. The funding will support – and expand – existing services offered by PWNA through its regional offices in Phoenix and Rapid City, S.D. PWNA transports food and supplies from these locations to remote tribal communities in the Northern Plains and Southwest regions of the country, every week, and funds community investment projects to increase food sovereignty.

Specifically, PWNA will use the Walmart Foundation grant to:

• Provide thousands of children nutritious snack and juice service through food pantries
• Distribute emergency food supplies for thousands of people through food pantries
• Provide fresh produce distributions at eight Elder Nutrition Centers
• Support ten community garden projects and provide garden training
• Conduct canning and healthy cooking training in 15 communities
• Equip a mobile nutrition and training unit for use in Southwest communities

PWNA CEO Robbi Rice Dietrich added, “We expect to increase availability of healthier food options through this grant by providing additional resources and funds to support new and existing community gardens. By working through food pantries and other partners, we hope to learn more about the community assets and resources available to sustain these projects beyond the life of the grant period.”

“The Walmart Foundation is pleased to support the efforts of PWNA to improve the diets in Native communities and increase the knowledge and availability of healthy foods,” said Carol May, Program Manager for the Walmart Foundation. “Helping improve the health of Native peoples through better nutrition is something with which we are proud to help PWNA.”

Many of the Native American youth and the elderly who live in communities served by PWNA reside in food deserts. This contributes to poor diets, health issues and lack of awareness of proper nutrition and food choices. The Walmart Foundation grant will encourage and empower elders and youth to improve their nutrition and eating habits. For more information follow up on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, or visit our website www.nativepartnership.org.