In its continued commitment to rural communities and reducing health disparities, Mayo Clinic Health System in Osseo awarded a $20,000 grant to the Childcare Partnership, a Western Dairyland Community Action Agency program. Funding will help to improve and expand the Food Boxes for Families program, a monthly food box offered to all families with children enrolled in regulated childcare programs.
 
The Food Boxes for Families program was designed to be part of a larger project that focuses on preventing the expulsion of children from childcare. Recently, the number of children expelled from early childhood programs has increased. Children are typically expelled from childcare for one of two reasons: the family’s inability to pay tuition or the program’s inability to handle the child’s challenging behavior. The Food Boxes for Families program addresses one of the root causes of challenging behaviors - hunger.
 
Studies show that children from homes that lack consistent access to food are more likely to experience developmental impairments in language, motor skills, and behavior. Hungry children have a higher risk of illness, are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, and develop behavior problems. Childcare programs are a practical avenue to address childhood hunger because they are anchors in the community. Providing food boxes at the childcare centers also allows for an easy pickup location, as caregivers are already there, furthermore reducing barriers to obtaining food. Each family food box contains food for multiple dinners, snacks, and vouchers from Kwik Trip for fresh meat products and dairy.
 
Mayo Clinic Health System in Northwest Wisconsin aims to harness partnerships with local childcare providers and youth-serving organizations as a powerful opportunity to reimagine opportunities to serve rural populations in new ways, including those focusing on reducing food insecurity, improving mental health, and supporting youth growth and development.