Today, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined with The Coca-Cola Foundation, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, and the East Side House Settlement to announce grant support for the Bronx CAN Initiative and other active, healthy living initiatives around the Bronx.
The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded a grant of $75,000 to the Bronx CAN Initiative, funding that will be used to improve health outcomes in the Bronx.
The Bronx CAN Health Initiative — Changing Attitudes Now — was launched in 2011 in response to a recent health study that presented the Bronx as the unhealthiest county in the state of New York. The Bronx CAN Initiative will tackle issues of obesity, nutrition, exercise and access to preventative health in the Bronx.
“I would like to thank The Coca-Cola Foundation for investing in the well-being of Bronxites through its generous contribution to the Bronx Can Initiative. This grant will have a large, positive impact on countless residents in this great borough and shows how we can all work together to help members of our community, young and old, start making healthier decisions. Issues of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease start with bad health habits at a young age. The Bronx CAN Health Initiative will continue to inspire Bronxites to take responsibility over their own health and make changes to their habits. I am glad that we found a partner in the Coca-Cola Foundation to help us lead all Bronxites to a healthier lifestyle,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz.
The Coca-Cola Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the The Coca-Cola Company. The grant is part of the Company’s initiative to aid local organizations in their quest to promote health and wellness, advance education and spark environmental stewardship.
“Part of the Coca-Cola Foundation’s mission is to build thriving, sustainable communities in the areas in which we operate,” said Donna Cirolia, Region Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications for Coca-Cola Refreshments. “Private-public partnerships are vital in promoting healthy, active lifestyles in our communities. Only through collaborative efforts, can workable solutions to today’s health challenges be achieved. We are pleased to partner with the Bronx Borough President and local Bronx organizations and look forward to hearing additional success stories as Bronx residents strive to achieve healthier balanced lifestyles.”
In addition to supporting the Bronx CAN Initiative, the Coca-Cola Foundation has also provided funding to the East Side House Settlement for its nutritional education programming.
”We are tremendously grateful for this grant from Coca-Cola, which will enable us to promote healthy lifestyles to nearly 1,200 children, families, and seniors in our South Bronx community,” said John L. Sanchez, Executive Director of the East Side House Settlement. “It will allow us to build on our obesity-prevention efforts and provide nutrition education to program participants in a hands-on way, with the goal of seeing sustainable change in attitudes and habits.”
“I am excited that the Coca-Cola Foundation has made such an amazing contribution to help toward our common goal of improving the health of residents across the Bronx. Coca-Cola Foundation’s outstanding gift to the Bronx CAN initiative means a greater chance to make a bigger impact on the well-being of the borough. I thank the Coca-Cola Foundation for helping us continue our service to enhance the health of all members of our Bronx community,” said Marlene Cintron, President of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation.
About The Coca-Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Foundation awarded more than $70 million to 263 community organizations around the world in 2011 to support sustainable community initiatives, including water stewardship, community recycling, active, healthy living, and education. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please go to:
www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/foundation_coke.html