Walmart Foundation Awards $2.5M for Community Wellness Hubs

The Walmart Foundation has awarded $2.5 million to the National Recreation and Park Association to help 15 local agencies in multiple states develop Community Wellness Hubs.

Community Wellness Hubs are gathering places that connect people to essential programs, services and spaces that advance health equity, improve health outcomes, and enhance quality of life, the NRPA said in a news release.

The communities that will receive a funds include:

• Berea College, Grow Appalachia, Berea, Kentucky
• Central Arkansas Library System (Be Mighty Little Rock Campaign), Little Rock, Arkansas
• City of Brownsville, Brownsville, Texas
• City of Ozark – Ozark Leisure Services, Ozark, Alabama
• City of Richmond, Richmond, California
• City of Shawnee Parks and Recreation, Shawnee, Kansas
• City of Tukwila Parks and Recreation, Tukwila, Washington
• County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, San Diego, California
• Derby Recreation Commission/Derby Health Collaborative, Derby, Kansas
• Desert Recreation District, Indio, California
• Groton Parks and Recreation, Noank, Connecticut
• New London Recreation Department, New London, Connecticut
• Peoria Grown, Peoria, Illinois
• Sunset Park and Recreation Foundation, Seaside, Oregon
• West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation and Community Services, West Allis, Wisconsin

“Park and recreation agencies are one of the best local solutions to connect people to the health and wellness services and healthy foods they need,” Kellie May, NRPA vice president of programs and partnerships, said in the release. “NRPA thanks the Walmart Foundation for its support of local park and recreation professionals who are working every day to increase access to healthy foods and fostering long-lasting healthy habits across the country.”

The nonprofit Walmart Foundation is the charitable arm of Walmart Inc.