SC BlueCross Foundation Presents $200,000 Grant to Greenville County Schools
The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation recently presented a $200,000 check to Greenville County Schools Food and Nutrition Services.
"We would like to thank the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation for its generous gift," said Eileen Staples, director of Food and Nutrition Services for Greenville County Schools. "The Culinary Creations program, fully implemented in 29 elementary schools, has been a huge success, not only with our students, but also with our principals, teachers and parents." Participation in the school lunch program has risen in schools where the Culinary Creations program has been implemented.
According to Staples, the grant funds will assist the district in promoting the importance of nutritious foods and for additional staff training in proper cooking methods and nutrition education. FANS plans to add the remaining 22 elementary schools in 2013-14, the middle schools in 2014-15 and the high schools in 2015-16.
"With a recent study indicating that more than 41 percent of Greenville County children are overweight or obese, the school district has been addressing the nutrition of its students through the Culinary Creations program," said Harvey Galloway, executive director of the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation. "We're pleased to provide this grant so the district can continue training its staff in preparing healthy, nutritious foods for students."
The event was part of a series that the foundation is hosting around the state to present its grants and honor the recipients in front of community and business leaders. Since the foundation was established in 2003, it has allocated more than $40.4 million in South Carolina to address issues such as childhood health, community health, mental health, obesity, diabetes, nursing and health research, and the increasing need for free medical clinics.
About Greenville County Schools Food and Nutrition Services
Greenville County Schools is home to more than 71,000 students making it the largest school district in South Carolina and the 47th largest school district in the nation, serving students in 100 schools and centers. Food and Nutrition Services mission is to provide nutritious meals and services to all students in a manner that promotes good health and the enhancement of the educational process while maintaining strict food safety practices.
About the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation
Headquartered in Columbia, the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation (www.bcbsscfoundation.org) is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Its mission is to promote the health of South Carolinians and to expand access to health care in South Carolina for the economically disadvantaged by supporting integrated research, education and community service.