CAMP HILL, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of its ongoing efforts to address critical children’s health and wellbeing issues in the communities it serves, The Rite Aid Foundation, announced today 180 grants, totaling more than $4 million through the inaugural cycle of the KidCents Regional Grant Program.
This new program, which provides grants of $15,000-$30,000, significantly expands the reach of KidCents by funding specific out-of-school-time programs focused on children’s nutrition, physical fitness and academic success. The KidCents program also annually supports a select group of more than 400 nonprofit, kid-focused organizations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of children living in the communities Rite Aid serves and national organizations focused on critical children’s issues, including The Fred Rogers Company, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Folds of Honor.
“We created the KidCents program to ensure that kids have a chance for better lives and brighter futures,” said Tracy Henderson, director of The Rite Aid Foundation and charitable giving initiatives. “With the introduction of the KidCents Regional Grant program, we are expanding our efforts even more while filling a need for valuable out-of-school-time programming. In addition, we are enabling our partner nonprofit organizations to implement innovative, ground-breaking programs that advance children’s health and wellbeing and promote academic growth.”
KidCents Regional Grants support nonprofit organizations with programs that serve children, from newborn to 18 years of age, and improve the quality of life in Rite Aid communities. The grants support three of KidCents’ primary focus areas for improving the health and wellbeing of children: healthy eating, active living and education. To be considered, programs and projects were required to take place during out-of-school-time. Priority was given to programs that support communities in need.
“We are immensely grateful for the tremendous support of The Rite Aid Foundation in helping us expand our Rising New York Road Runners program, which helps children gain the skills, confidence and desire to be physically active for life,” said Rachel Pratt, senior vice president of youth and community services at New York Road Runners. “This grant will enable thousands of additional children to participate in our free after-school fitness programs and running events, putting them on a path to be healthy and active for the rest of their lives.”
Charities receiving grants range from local affiliates of national organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Girls on the Run to smaller community-based organizations like Stone Garage Inc. in Kennett Square, Pa., and the Eastern Market in Detroit, Mich. In addition, several of the 400 nonprofit organizations currently participating in the KidCents in-store round-up program were also awarded Regional Grants.
Funded programs include arts education and conflict resolution programs, educational programs for LGBTQ youth, mentoring programs for at-risk youth, academic support for teenagers battling cancer, language programs for refugee children and food assistance and nutrition education for children in need. Examples of specific organizations and projects funded include:
- Boys & Girls Club of Alameda, Alameda, Calif.
Live Healthy
This program provides 500 Alameda youth and teens with a comprehensive culinary, nutrition and health education program integrated with physical fitness and recreational programming. Participating youth learn important lessons about personal health and fitness and the importance of good food choices. - Page Ahead Children’s Literacy Program, Seattle, Wash.
Book Up Summer
This program keeps kids reading during the summer months so that they are ready to learn when they return to school in the fall. Low-income students in kindergarten through second grade will be given 12 free, self-selected books to read over the summer months. Giving books to students from low-income families is one of the only reading interventions that has been proven to improve student reading levels. - Cleveland Play House, Cleveland, Ohio
21st Century Community Learning Centers Program at Almira Academy and Walton Elementary
This program provides children in high-poverty neighborhoods with access to theatre education programs, arts enrichment and academic support throughout the year. The Cleveland Playhouse will employ evidence-based arts education strategies and practices to improve reading, math, social and emotional learning.
- New York Road Runners, Inc., New York, N.Y.
Rising New York Road Runners
This program uses the latest research on long-term athletic development and physical literacy to help children become physically active for life. Free after-school programs and weekend running and fitness events offer boys and girls a combination of activities and structured running.
- Norris Square Neighborhood Project, Philadelphia, Pa.
Urban Gardens Youth Programming
This gardening, youth empowerment and arts and culture program provides educational and employment opportunities through creative after-school and summer programs. From garden apprenticeships and agricultural projects to arts education, youth find a safe space during out-of-school time and gain confidence to succeed.
“Book Up Summer, which combats summer learning loss, is based on leading literacy research and is designed to help the students who need it most,” said Susan Dibble, Executive Director, Page Ahead Children’s Literacy Program. “Thanks to the generous support of The Rite Aid Foundation, students from low-income families will have the books and resources they need to continue reading this summer and return to school in the fall ready to learn and poised for academic growth and success.”
The inaugural cycle of grants launched in May 2018 and was available in select counties in the following states: California, Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington. Another cycle of KidCents Regional Grants will launch later this year. To learn more about the program visit riteaid.com/grants.
Through the KidCents program, members of Rite Aid's loyalty program, wellness+ rewards, can round up their in-store or online purchases to the nearest dollar and donate their change to KidCents. Members can also choose to direct their change to a specific KidCents charity by visiting www.kidcents.com. Through KidCents’ Step Up Fund, The Rite Aid Foundation provides a matching donation of $500 for every $500 a charity raises in contributions through the wellness+ rewards program, up to a maximum of $5,000. For more information, visit www.kidcents.com.
Since its inception in 2001, The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded more than $50 million to nonprofit organizations. Additionally, Rite Aid, through the efforts of its customers, supplier partners and associates, has also raised more than $87 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals across the country since 1994.
Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with fiscal 2018 annual revenues of $21.5 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com.
The 180 charities receiving KidCents Regional Grants including:
California
Aim High for High School, San Francisco: $30,000.00
Alameda Boys & Girls Club, Alameda: $30,000.00
Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program, Berkeley: $15,000.00
Berkeley Youth Alternatives, Berkeley: $20,000.00
Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo, Camarillo: $20,000.00
Boys & Girls Club of Fontana, Fontana: $15,000.00
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura, Ventura: $25,000.00
Boys & Girls Club of Menifee Valley, Menifee: $20,000.00
Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos, San Marcos: $30,000.00
Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley, Santa Paula: $25,000.00
Boys & Girls Club of the Foothills, Monrovia: $25,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, Irvine: $25,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, Inc., Garden Grove: $20,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego, San Diego: $30,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles, Los Angeles: $30,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland, Inc., Oakland: $25,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside, Oceanside: $25,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica, Santa Monica: $30,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of Whittier, Whittier: $20,000.00
Boys and Girls Club of Anaheim, Inc., Anaheim: $15,000.00
Boys and Girls Club of Vista, Vista: $20,000.00
Boys and Girls Clubs of Carlsbad, Carlsbad: $15,000.00
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento, Sacramento: $20,000.00
Boys Club of Buena Park, Buena Park: $15,000.00
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Southern California, Irvine: $15,000.00
Children's Bureau of Southern California, Los Angeles: $15,000.00
Community Action Partnership of Orange County, Garden Grove: $15,000.00
Desert Sanctuary, Inc., Barstow: $25,000.00
Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino, Riverside: $20,000.00
Food Finders, Lakewood: $15,000.00
Food Literacy Center, Sacramento: $30,000.00
Girl Scouts of Northern California, Alameda: $25,000.00
Girls Inc. of Alameda County, Oakland: $25,000.00
Girls Incorporated of Orange County, Costa Mesa: $20,000.00
Girls on the Run of Greater Sacramento, Sacramento: $30,000.00
Girls on the Run of Los Angeles County, Pasadena: $20,000.00
Girls on the Run of Silicon Valley, Inc., Los Gatos: $20,000.00
Girls on the Run Orange County, Newport Beach: $15,000.00
Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County, Santa Ana: $25,000.00
Improve Your Tomorrow, Sacramento: $20,000.00
Intervention Center for Early Childhood, Irvine: $15,000.00
Lincoln, Oakland: $20,000.00
Los Angeles LGBT Center, Hollywood: $25,000.00
MANA de San Diego, San Diego: $15,000.00
Mar Vista Family Center, Culver City: $15,000.00
Mercy Housing California, Sacramento: $20,000.00
Neighborhood Homework House, Azusa: $25,000.00
Project Access, Inc., Orange: $15,000.00
Sacred Heart Community Service, San Jose: $25,000.00
Santa Clarita Valley Boys & Girls Club, Newhall: $20,000.00
The Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley Inc., Burbank: $20,000.00
The Fit Kids Foundation, Redwood City: $20,000.00
The Wooden Floor for Youth Movement, Santa Ana: $25,000.00
Thomas House Temporary Shelter, Garden Grove: $15,000.00
Tiger Woods Foundation, Irvine: $20,000.00
Tri-City Health Center, Fremont: $15,000.00
Trips for Kids Marin, San Rafael: $30,000.00
Union Rescue Mission, Los Angeles: $25,000.00
United Friends of the Children, Los Angeles: $25,000.00
United States Adaptive Recreation Center (USARC), Big Bear Lake: $15,000.00
Variety Children's Charities of the Desert - Tent 66, Palm Desert: $15,000.00
Via International, San Diego: $15,000.00
West Valley Boys & Girls Club, Canoga Park: $30,000.00
Young Men's Christian Association of the East Bay, Oakland: $30,000.00
Delaware
Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, Wilmington: $30,000.00
Girls on the Run Delaware, Newark: $20,000.00
Maryland
Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, Inc., Baltimore: $25,000.00
Girls on the Run of Harford and Cecil Counties, Bel Air: $15,000.00
Michigan
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Farmington Hills: $30,000.00
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Detroit, Detroit: $30,000.00
Central Detroit Christian Community Development Corporation, Detroit: $15,000.00
Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program, Detroit: $30,000.00
Eastern Market Corporation, Detroit: $30,000.00
Focus: HOPE, Detroit: $30,000.00
Forgotten Harvest, Oak Park: $15,000.00
Hope For America Inc., Detroit: $15,000.00
Kent County Girls on the Run, Kentwood: $16,000.00
The Refugee Education Center, Grand Rapids: $30,000.00
Vista Maria, Dearborn Heights: $25,000.00
YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, Detroit: $30,000.00
New Hampshire
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua, Nashua: $15,000.00
End 68 hours of Hunger Raymond, Raymond: $15,000.00
Girls Inc. of New Hampshire, Manchester: $25,000.00
Salem Family Resources/Success By 6, Salem: $15,000.00
New Jersey
Boys & Girls Club of Camden County, Camden: $25,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of Gloucester County, Glassboro: $20,000.00
Glassboro Child Development Centers, Glassboro: $30,000.00
Hark-ALS, Inc., Hillsborough: $20,000.00
The Arc Gloucester, West Deptford: $25,000.00
New York
Achilles International, Inc., New York: $15,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse, Syracuse: $25,000.00
Boys Hope Girls Hope of New York, Brooklyn: $30,000.00
Brooklyn Music School, Brooklyn: $15,000.00
DMF Youth, Inc, New York: $20,000.00
Fresh Youth Initiatives, Inc., New York: $25,000.00
Girls Inc. of Long Island, Deer Park: $30,000.00
Girls on the Run Long Island, Massapequa: $20,000.00
Girls on the Run NYC, Brooklyn: $25,000.00
Good Shepherd Services, New York: $25,000.00
Grand St. Settlement, New York: $30,000.00
Island Harvest Food Bank, Bethpage: $30,000.00
Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, Inc., New York: $30,000.00
Morry's Camp, Inc., Elmsford: $25,000.00
Motivational Recovery Environments, Inc., Copiague: $20,000.00
New York Road Runners, Inc., New York: $30,000.00
Niagara Falls Boys & Girls Club, Niagara Falls: $25,000.00
QSAC, Inc., New York: $20,000.00
Renaissance Youth Center, Bronx: $25,000.00
Row New York, New York: $25,000.00
The GO Project, Inc., New York: $20,000.00
The Salvation Army, Buffalo: $30,000.00
Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, Inc., Long Island City: $20,000.00
Ohio
Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio, Dalton: $25,000.00
Boys & Girls Club of Massillon, Massillon: $25,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Western Reserve, Akron: $30,000.00
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Northeastern Ohio, Garfield Heights: $20,000.00
Cleveland Play House, Cleveland: $30,000.00
Girls on the Run of Greater Summit dba Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio, Brecksville: $30,000.00
Girls on the Run of Northwest Ohio, Toledo: $22,000.00
Youth Challenge, Westlake: $30,000.00
Oregon
Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area, Portland: $25,000.00
Girls on the Run of Portland Metro, Portland: $15,000.00
Marathon Education Partners, Portland: $15,000.00
Pennsylvania
Anti-Drug & Alcohol Crusaders, Inc., Philadelphia: $15,000.00
Boys & Girls Club of Harrisburg, Harrisburg: $30,000.00
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh: $15,000.00
Central PA Food Bank, Harrisburg: $30,000.00
Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County, Lansdowne: $25,000.00
Cradles to Crayons, Conshohocken: $30,000.00
Drueding Center, Philadelphia: $15,000.00
EducationWorks, Philadelphia: $30,000.00
Family Support Circle, Inc., Philadelphia: $25,000.00
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg: $20,000.00
Girls on the Run Capital Area, Lemoyne: $15,000.00
Girls on the Run Montgomery and Delaware Counties, PA, Ambler: $15,000.00
Girls on the Run of Hunterdon, Bucks and Warren Counties, Flemington, NJ: $20,000.00
Girls on the Run of Lancaster, Landisville: $30,000.00
Girls on the Run Philadelphia, Philadelphia: $20,000.00
Harrisburg Area YMCA, Harrisburg: $25,000.00
Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, Harrisburg: $15,000.00
Joshua Group, Harrisburg: $30,000.00
Keystone College, La Plume: $20,000.00
Leg Up Farm, Mount Wolf: $25,000.00
Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Pittsburgh: $20,000.00
Mercy Neighborhood Ministries of Philadelphia, Inc., Philadelphia: $20,000.00
Mighty Writers, Philadelphia: $30,000.00
Norris Square Neighborhood Project, Philadelphia: $25,000.00
Olivet Boys & Girls Club of Reading and Berks County, Inc., Pottstown: $15,000.00
Project SHARE of Carlisle, Carlisle: $25,000.00
Rainbow's End Youth Services, Mount Joy: $15,000.00
Sarah Heinz House Association, Pittsburgh: $25,000.00
Special People In Northeast Inc., Philadelphia: $20,000.00
Stone Garage, Inc., Kennett Square: $15,000.00
TeamChildren, Audubon: $15,000.00
The Food Trust, Philadelphia: $30,000.00
The Parkesburg POINT Youth Center, Parkesburg: $15,000.00
The Salvation Army, York: $25,000.00
The Young Women's Christian Association of Carlisle, Carlisle: $15,000.00
University City Science Center, Philadelphia: $20,000.00
Vetri Foundation for Children, Philadelphia: $25,000.00
YMCA of York and York County, York: $30,000.00
York County Library System, York: $30,000.00
Young Mens Christian Association of Greater Brandywine, West Chester: $15,000.00
Young Mens Christian Association of Wilkes-Barre Inc., Wilkes-Barre: $25,000.00
Young Womens Christian Association of York, York: $20,000.00
Virginia
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, Newport News: $25,000.00
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Norfolk: $15,000.00
Girls on the Run of Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach: $25,000.00
Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, Hampton: $20,000.00
Washington
Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue, Bellevue: $20,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, Seattle: $20,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, Everett: $30,000.00
Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, Tacoma: $30,000.00
Foundation for Edmonds School District, Lynnwood: $15,000.00
Girls on the Run of Puget Sound, Seattle: $20,000.00
Girls on the Run of Snohomish County, Lynnwood: $20,000.00
Girls on the Run WestSound, Tracyton: $20,000.00
Outdoors for All Foundation, Seattle: $15,000.00
Page Ahead Children's Literacy Program, Seattle: $15,000.00
Reach Out and Read, Inc., Seattle: $20,000.00
Wear Blue: Run to Remember, Dupont: $25,000.00
