The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation to Bring Garden Benefits to America’s Most Vulnerable Children in Partnership with the Na...
October 09 2018 - 9:00AM
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation today announced its multi-year
partnership with the National Head Start Association to combat some
of the most pressing challenges facing today’s youngest generation,
improving access to healthy food and increasing time spent outdoors
connected to nature. The three-year partnership will work to bring
the powerful, life-enhancing benefits of gardens to one million
at-risk Head Start children and families across the country each
year through the development of edible gardens and hands-on garden
education.
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and the National Head Start
Association will make garden grants, garden kits, educational
curriculum, and garden training available to all Head Start
programs in the U.S. with the goal of creating more edible gardens
and interactive learning experiences for young children and their
families, ultimately teaching them how to grow their own healthy
food––for life.
“All children benefit from spending time in nature and learning
to enjoy fresh, healthy foods, and this partnership will provide
many of America’s most vulnerable kids with those valuable
opportunities,” NHSA’s Executive Director Yasmina Vinci said. “This
initiative is part of NHSA’s Year of Whole Health, where we will
bring a renewed focus to specific areas of health to improve the
wellbeing of Head Start children, families and staff. NHSA is
grateful to The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation for partnering with
us to find new ways to support Head Start programs in their mission
to prepare children for success in school and life.”
Since 2011, ScottsMiracle-Gro has supported the creation of more
than a thousand community gardens and greenspaces in every state in
the U.S. From edible gardens solving for food insecurity to green
schoolyards providing natural places for children to learn and
grow, the Foundation has seen firsthand the positive effects
gardens can have on young children. As a result, the Foundation
will focus its garden outreach on programs that directly benefit
youth.
“Our work to connect more people to the benefits of gardens is
never more important than when it’s helping young children.” said
Jim King, president of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation. “We know
that time spent in the garden can increase children’s access to
fresh food, physical activity, and positive social interaction and
reduce their stress and anxiety. That’s why we’re passionate about
our partnership with the National Head Start Association and the
positive impact it will have for this next generation.”
Starting today, the 2018 application for the National Head Start
Association Garden Grants is available online at
go.nhsa.org/Gardens, and all Head Start programs are welcome to
apply. The deadline for application submission is November 15,
2018. Monetary grants of $5,000 will be awarded based on youth
engagement, community impact, and sustainability, among other
factors.
KidsGardening.org and Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical
Gardens will join The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation in providing
educational support and outreach to the Head Start community over
the next three years.
About The Scotts Miracle-Gro FoundationThe
mission of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation is to inspire, connect
and cultivate a community of purpose. The Foundation is deeply
rooted in helping create healthier communities, empower the next
generation, and preserve our planet. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3)
organization that funds non-profit entities that support its core
initiatives in the form of grants, endowments and multi-year
capital gifts. For more information, visit
www.scottsmiraclegrofoundation.org.
About The National Head Start AssociationThe
National Head Start Association is a not-for-profit organization
committed to the belief that every child, regardless of
circumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in school and in
life. The opportunities offered by Head Start lead to healthier,
empowered children and families, and stronger, more vibrant
communities. NHSA is the voice for more than 1 million children,
250,000 staff and 1,600 Head Start grantees in the United States.
Visit www.nhsa.org and follow @NatlHeadStart for more
information.
Contact:Lindsay LaSalaThe Scotts Miracle-Gro
Foundation937-644-7621 (office)937-516-2732
(mobile)Lindsay.LaSala@Scotts.com
Robin WinchellThe National Head Start Association703-727-6229
(mobile)rwinchell@nhsa.org
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