Be Healthy Berrien Receives $45,000 AEP Foundation Grant to Support Benton Harbor Healthy Corner Sto

 
The American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation has awarded Be Healthy Berrien a $45,000 grant to enhance access to nutritious, locally sourced foods in Benton Harbor through the Healthy Corner Store Initiative and the Benton Harbor Farmers Market. These initiatives aim to improve food access for local residents and foster a healthier community.
 
Anchored by United Way of Southwest Michigan, Be Healthy Berrien is leading this collaborative effort to reduce obesity and address food access disparities in Benton Harbor. Partners like the Berrien County Health Department and the YMCA of Greater Michiana are working to make healthy food more available and affordable to residents.
 
“This project aligns with AEP Foundation’s mission of ‘Making Brighter Futures Together’ by promoting community health and well-being,” said Mona Livingston of Indiana Michigan Power.. “It reflects our commitment to eliminating barriers to healthy food in Benton Harbor, which is essential for building a brighter future.”
 
Berrien County Health Officer Guy Miller added: “The Benton Harbor Farmers Market supports small local farmers and strengthens community connections while making nutritious food more accessible. The Berrien County Health Department is grateful to the American Electric Power Foundation for its support of our Benton Harbor Farmers Market. This partnership enhances our commitment to ensuring residents have access to healthy fruits and vegetables as well as supporting the health and wellness of all community members.”
 
In addition to the Farmers Market, the Healthy Corner Store Initiative enhances neighborhood stores by helping them stock healthier food options. Mark Weber of the YMCA of Greater Michiana explained, “By the end of the year, we will identify and partner with a corner store in Benton Harbor, providing them with a comprehensive assessment, training, education, community outreach, and funding to successfully offer healthy food options.”
 
Dawn Marie Smith, Director at Be Healthy Berrien, emphasized the health benefits of this initiative: “Food access initiatives like this play a crucial role in improving the health of low-income communities by serving as essential resources for residents, a key step toward addressing poor health outcomes in Benton Harbor. We extend our heartfelt thanks to American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation for their generous contribution, which makes these efforts possible.”
Be Healthy Berrien is seeking to fund one corner store in Benton Harbor for this initiative. To find out if your store qualifies, contact Dawn Marie Smith through behealthyberrien.org.
  About Be Healthy Berrien
Be Healthy Berrien, launched in 2010, is dedicated to reducing and preventing obesity county-wide. The initiative is guided by a steering committee that includes the Berrien County Health Department, Corewell Health South, Equilibrium Fitness, the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, and the YMCA of Greater Michiana. United Way of Southwest Michigan serves as the anchor support agency and fiduciary. The initiative strives to make an equitable and lasting impact on our community's health by leveraging resources to advocate for policy, system, and environmental changes that improve food access and active living opportunities. Visit BeHealthyBerrien.org.
 
About United Way of Southwest Michigan
United Way of Southwest Michigan works to create a united and resilient community where everyone contributes, belongs, and thrives. We harness resources from corporate, nonprofit, and public partners to address our community’s most pressing challenges and make lasting change. Join us in giving, advocacy, and volunteering by visiting uwsm.org.
 
About the American Electric Power Foundation
The AEP Foundation focuses on improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and by providing support to help meet basic needs such as emergency shelter, affordable housing, and eliminating hunger. The Foundation also supports organizations committed to positive social justice outcomes, environmental protection, healthcare, safety, and enriching life through arts, music, and cultural heritage. For more information, visit aep.com/community/givingback.