Bounty & Soul is pleased to announce that the organization has been awarded substantial grants from both The Community Foundation of WNC and WNC Bridge Foundation. The People in Need Grant for $20,000 awarded by CFWNC, along with the Impact Grant for $25,000 awarded by the WNC Bridge Foundation will directly support and strengthen three of Bounty & Soul’s core programs. These programs address the intersections of food, farms and health through a lens of equity, inclusion and sustainability.
“We are incredibly grateful and excited to receive the generous support of these two outstanding Foundations. With the unprecedented increase in food insecurity, an economic crisis and a global focus on health, the investments in our core programs from CFWNC and WNC Bridge Foundation could not come at a better time,” says Ali Casparian, Founder and Executive Director of Bounty & Soul. Since the start of COVID-19, Bounty & Soul has seen a 187% increase in demand for their no cost programs and services. “The importance that fresh, healthy food plays in our neighbors’ lives has never been more clear,” President and CEO Scott Buchanan agrees. “WNC Bridge Foundation is pleased to partner with Bounty & Soul as they continue to provide and deliver not only nutritious food but also valuable educational tools for our community.” These funds will go directly to the Produce to the People™ program that works to meet the needs of the community by distributing thousands of pounds of nutritious food through weekly markets, The Farmers Alliance program which supports the delivery of donations and purchases from local farmers/growers and businesses, and The Rooted in Health™ program that provides health & wellbeing educational resources through in person, print and virtual platforms. “CFWNC is pleased to support the work of Bounty & Soul. Fresh nutritious food and opportunities for education and community are crucial to many whose lives continue to be impacted by the pandemic and resulting, economic downturn. Bounty & Soul’s collaborative work brings together food, farms and health in ways that benefit the broader community,” concludes Senior Program Officer, Virginia Dollar.
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