Glick Philanthropies awards MSU Extension $10,000 grant for nutrition education
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EmailThe award will help support Cooking Matters ® programming across Michigan.
On June 26, Michigan State University Extension was announced as a winner of a $10,000 grant from the Glick Community Relief Fund, a program of Indianapolis-based Glick Philanthropies, which supports local nonprofit organizations increasing access to basic needs.
MSU Extension’s grant was one of six given to Michigan-based organizations by the Glick Community Relief Fund, which focuses on increasing healthy food access, expanding accessible transportation, connecting community members to utility assistance, and prioritizing mental health support.
“We are so honored to receive this generous grant to support our nutrition education,” said Erin Moore, assistant director of health and nutrition programming for MSU Extension. “Funding like this enables us to expand our outreach and support to more Michiganders in need.”
2024 marks the eighth year that Glick Philanthropies has administered its grant program. Through this initiative, over $4.7 million has been awarded to 265 different nonprofit organizations.
“Glick Philanthropies is committed to offering support to nonprofit organizations that are providing essential basic needs to our most vulnerable communities,” said Ben Grande, the organization’s director of philanthropy.
This year, food access emerged as the area with the greatest need, with 85% of grants supporting organizations like Michigan State University Extension, who focus on increasing food access.
In particular, the grant will support Cooking Matters®, a nutrition program where participants learn how to eat healthy, cook and grocery shop on a limited budget. These additional funds will provide take-home groceries for individuals in nutrition classes. Offered in the community for adults, families, and childcare providers, the program is supported by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed) and Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).
“Cooking Matters® is more than just a cooking class, and more than just nutrition education,” says Gary Libretti, MSU Extension nutrition and physical activity specialist. “It builds confidence in people to know that they can prepare delicious, healthy foods for themselves and for their families — no matter how tight their grocery budgets might be.”
MSU Extension currently offers a variety of tailored Cooking Matters® classes:
- Cooking Matters® for Parents, which teaches parents with young children how to prepare and shop sensibly for healthy meals on a budget.
- Cooking Matters® for Families, which engages adults and school-aged youth together to learn about healthy eating, planning meals as a family, and working together in the kitchen.
- Cooking Matters® for Adults, which teaches adults how to prepare and shop sensibly for healthy meals on a budget.
- Cooking Matters® for Child Care Providers, which equips child care professionals with necessary skills to select safe, healthy meals on a budget for young children.
- Cooking Matters® at the Store, which provides participants with hands-on education as they shop for food, giving them skills to compare foods for cost and nutrition.
For more information on this and other nutrition education programs delivered by MSU Extension, visit our Nutrition website.
