Mercy C.A.R.E.S. has awarded Advance Community (Advance) a 2024 Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Community Reinvestment Grant in the amount of $138,000. The grant will support the organization’s Stove to Table program.
The Stove to Table program provides healthy and nutritious meals using fresh, local produce from the Advance garden to low-income seniors, helping them achieve the healthiest, most independent lives possible. In addition, Advance staff and volunteers do a wellness check for each senior and teach them about nutrition and health – including how to read and understand food labels – so that they have the knowledge to make positive choices for their health.
“We are deeply grateful to Mercy C.A.R.E.S. for their generous grant of $138,000,” said Advance Community CEO Jeri Royce. “This invaluable financial support will significantly enhance our Stove to Table program, allowing us to continue our mission of providing nutritious meals and nutrition education to our community. This commitment will allow our staff and volunteers to continue making a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.”
Mercy C.A.R.E.S., which stands for Community Action Resources Education and Service, is Mercy Care’s community giving initiative. Through grant funding, sponsorships, volunteer efforts and board participation, Mercy C.A.R.E.S. supports AHCCCS’ Whole Person Care Initiative, which addresses social risk factors to improve health outcomes.
“Mercy Care is proud to provide a Community Reinvestment Grant to the Stove to Table program because it addresses two areas of growing concern for low-income seniors, food insecurity and social isolation. As an organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all Arizonans, and particularly those who are underserved with complex health needs, we are happy to partner with Advance in making a positive impact on our community,” said Trisha Stuart, Mercy Care director of community relations.
“Through Mercy C.A.R.E.S., we partner with organizations across the state whose health focus areas align with ours such as managing chronic conditions, supporting mental health and well-being, addressing housing insecurity, and empowering recovery for substance use.”
For more information about Advance Community and the Stove to Table program, visit advancecommunity.org.