The Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation is helping two Georgia organizations promote fitness and healthy eating among young people. The foundation, an affiliated fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, awarded $450,000 in grants to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hall County and After-School All-Stars Atlanta.
“The Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County and After-School All-Stars Atlanta provide young people with life changing experiences,” said John Bare, vice president of the Blank Family Foundation, said in a press release. “Both organizations refuse to settle for the status quo and find creative ways for young people to improve their physical fitness.”
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Hall County will receive a three-year, $400,000 grant to expand its Falcons Fit Zone program, which serves 4,400 children during and after school, as well as during the summer. The clubs will also support Georgia SHAPE by joining with five elementary schools to strengthen physical education classes and administer annual Fitnessgram assessments testing students’ strength, flexibility and aerobic fitness.
After-School All-Stars Atlanta will receive $50,000 to expand a gardening program called Choosing Health Experiencing Wellness, or Project CHEW. Project CHEW, currently offered at 15 after-school programs, engages middle school students in gardening and increases the students’ access to fresh produce. The program also helps teachers deliver science education in after-school programs.
