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Jardin de los Ninos Receives Grant From Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico to Support Weekend Anti-Hunger Project

Jardin de los Niños announced today that it received a $25,000 grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) through its Healthy Kids, Healthy Families® initiative. Jardin de los Niños’ commitment to creating new possibilities for homeless and near-homeless children and their families through loving child care, education, and the use of community resources aligns with the vision of BCBSNM’s Healthy Kids, Healthy Families grant program to help improve the health of children and their families in local communities.

“We are proud to support Jardin de los Niños’ weekend anti-hunger project, which makes a positive impact on children’s health and wellness,” said Janice Torrez, associate vice president of external affairs and chief of staff, BCBSNM. “Social determinants, such as lack of access to food, have a big impact on health. Jardin de los Niños helps address this social determinant by providing children and families with nutritious foods for weekends and holidays when they would not otherwise be able to access healthy meals.”

“The collaboration between Jardin de los Niños and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico to support the weekend anti-hunger project has provided food security for the children and families that we serve,” said Michelle Saenz-Adames, Ph.D., executive director of Jardin de los Niños.

Healthy Kids, Healthy Families is a signature program of BCBSNM. The initiative focuses on engaging children and their families in understanding the importance of nutritious food, raising the level of physical activity, better managing chronic conditions and promoting safe environments. Likewise, Jardin de los Niños and the weekend anti-hunger project works to support children’s developmental milestones by providing consistent, nutritious meals that encourage healthy eating habits over the weekend to increase attentiveness, food security and the overall well-being of the children and families that Jardin de los Niños serves.



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