Port Towns Aiming To Be Model For Child Health Program

A Grant to support public wellness initiatives.

Plans to improve childhood health in the Port Towns received a boost with the awarding on Saturday of a $400,000 grant, money that could go toward efforts such as educational campaigns, community gardens and healthier school menus.

The money provided by not-for-profit health organization Kaiser Permanente and United Way of the National Capital Area will help implement a plan being outlined by residents, officials and nonprofits in the Port Towns, consisting of Bladensburg, Colmar Manor, Cottage City and Edmonston. The grant money won’t be available until the plan is complete this October.

The plan will address ways to improve access to healthier foods and physical activities. Although the plan is not yet complete, planting of spring crops already began Saturday in the Port Towns’ first community garden.

The Cottage City Community Garden was a project initiated by that town so residents can plant crops on raised beds. The garden could lead to selling produce in a farmer’s market, said Jacqueline Burrell of the Port Towns Community Health Partnership.



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