AmeriHealth Caritas Foundation Tackles Hunger and Childhood Trauma in South Carolina with Grants to Two Community Organizations

Two Columbia, S.C.-based organizations are each receiving $75,000 from the AmeriHealth Caritas Foundation to bolster their efforts to fight child abuse, neglect, and hunger in South Carolina. The combined $150,000 will fund programs at Children's Trust South Carolina and Harvest Hope Food Bank.

"The AmeriHealth Caritas Foundation is proud to assist organizations combating food insufficiency and empowering caregivers, so children feel safe in their home and are surrounded by a supportive community," said Lauren Maloney, Director of the AmeriHealth Caritas Foundation.

Hunger affects one in six children in South Carolina. Addressing it can enable children to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Harvest Hope Food Bank's grant will support its child and family-focused programs, with a specific focus on youth in the foster care system. The organization is the largest food bank in South Carolina, providing more than 25 million meals across a 20-county service area that includes Columbia, Florence, and Greenville. "The AmeriHealth Caritas Foundation's support is instrumental in Harvest Hope Food Bank's mission to alleviate hunger and food insecurity within our community," said Erinn Rowe, CEO of Harvest Hope Food Bank. "This alliance allows us to provide vital nourishment and hope to those who need it most. Thanks to the Foundation for investing in a stronger, healthier future for our neighbors." Children's Trust South Carolina will use its grant to expand families' access to the Positive Parenting Program Online (Triple P). The program's goal is to:

• reduce child abuse, neglect, and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs),
• promote positive childhood experiences, and
• strengthen parent-child relationships by improving parenting practices.

ACEsOpens a new window are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood - such as violence, abuse, and growing up in a household where a family member struggles with substance use disorder or mental illness - and are linked to chronic health problems in adulthood.

"We are very pleased to collaborate with the AmeriHealth Caritas Foundation in our shared work to support healthier, stronger families," said Sue Williams, CEO of Children's Trust of South Carolina. "Triple P Online helps caregivers learn simple, practical tools to build resilience and decrease stress. When that happens, everyone wins - building stronger communities for children and their families to thrive."

"Harvest Hope Food Bank and Children's Trust South Carolina are long-time leaders in the fight against food insecurity and childhood adversity in the Palmetto State," said Courtnay Thompson, Market President of Select Health of South Carolina. "We appreciate the Foundation's support of their efforts. These grants will make a real difference in the lives of families across the state, reinforcing a commitment to improving health outcomes and building a brighter future for the communities we serve."

About Harvest Hope Food Bank
Harvest Hope is building a hunger-free tomorrow in 20 counties across South Carolina. Rescuing food from stores that is at risk of being discarded, as well as sourcing food from the community and producers, they distribute it to local food pantries and through multiple feeding programs. These programs provide food for some of SC's most vulnerable citizens - children, seniors, and rural residents who don't have access to reliable transportation to grocery stores. Annually, Harvest Hope provides over 25 million meals to neighbors in need across their service area. Learn more at harvesthope.org.

About Children's Trust South Carolina
Children's Trust of South Carolina is the statewide organization focused on the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Through training, research and advocacy, we equip parents and professionals with knowledge, skills and resources to help children grow up happy, healthy and safe. We invest in proven prevention programs, including home visiting for new moms, the Strengthening Families Program and Triple P (Positive Parenting Program). In addition, we lead the state's coordinated efforts for family resource centers, KIDS COUNT, prevention messaging and Child Abuse Prevention Month. To learn more, please visit SCChildren.org.