Funding sought to end food insecurity

HOUGHTON COUNTY — The Portage Health Foundation announced a second round of funding part of their “Stop the Roar of Hunger” food initiative. The initiative seeks to end food insecurity in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties.

PHF hosted informal sessions today for people who are looking to fund their projects through the initiative. The sessions allowed potential applicants to ask questions and learn more about the funds. During this round of funding, PHF is focusing on two distinct populations: children ages zero to twelve and college students.

“In our local statistics, we are finding that there are 63 percent of infants born in the community that are on WIC (Women, Infants and Children Food Nutrition Service) support,” said Chelsea Goodreau with PHF Marketing and Communications. “There’s also 56 percent of our young adolescents who qualify for free and reduced meals, so those are the kids in our school systems and we understand that, you know, they may be going to school hungry, they’re qualifying for free and reduced meals for the school systems. We’re trying to address that.”

Prescription for Health program through Upper Great Lakes Family Health Centers, Market Bucks program from the Portage Lake District Library and Let’s Eat Community Meals received funding from the first round.

Proposals for this round of funding are due September 15th. Successful applicants will be announced in early October.