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The Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition is excited to announce that mini-grants have been awarded to 18 organizations on the Mid Shore to develop community gardens.
Businesses, non-profits, faith-based and other community-based organizations that serve residents of Caroline, Dorchester and/or Kent counties were eligible to apply for these $5,000 grants, totaling $90,000.
The grants stemmed from a larger award from the Maryland Department of Health, provided to the health departments in Caroline, Dorchester and Kent to address obesity. The three counties rank among the five Maryland counties with the highest adult obesity rates, and residents overall have higher poverty rates, less access to healthy foods and exercise opportunities, lower rates of physical activity, and higher rates of diabetes than Maryland.
'We had overwhelming interest in this grant opportunity and were able to secure additional dollars to fund all applications,' said Nicole Morris, Lead for the Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition. 'The organizations are diverse and serve some our most vulnerable residents. Gardens will be established at schools, churches, YMCAs, senior centers, and at organizations that serve those with disabilities, and those in recovery from substance abuse.'
Organization | County Served |
Caroline Medical Adult Day CARE | Caroline |
Greensboro Elementary School | Caroline |
Caroline County Family YMCA | Caroline |
Aarons Place Inc | Caroline, Dorchester |
Cambridge Community Garden | Dorchester |
Eastern Shore Wellness Solutions, Inc. | Dorchester |
Heirloom Athletics, LLC | Dorchester |
Hurlock United Methodist Church | Dorchester |
New Beginnings Youth and Family Services | Dorchester |
Pauline F. and W. David Robbins Family YMCA | Dorchester |
Bayside H.O.Y.A.S., Inc | Kent |
Crossroads Community, Inc. | Kent |
Echo Hill Outdoor School | Kent |
Minary's Dream Alliance, Inc. | Kent |
Mt Olive AME Church Missionary Society | Kent |
Recovery in Motion | Kent |
UM Shore Regional Health Mobile Wellness Team | Kent |
Washington College Campus Garden | Kent |
About the Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition:
All jurisdictions in Maryland have Local Health Improvement Coalitions to address pressing health issues. In 2021, the five Mid Shore counties of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot, banded together to share knowledge, and leverage scarce resources. Our initial task is to address the prevention and management of prediabetes and diabetes, and stakeholders across the region are working together to create the first Diabetes Action Plan for the Mid Shore. We won't stop there, as we hope to be a 'home' for those seeking to address the numerous health priorities across our region. Learn more at midshorehealth.org