$52K In Grant Funding To Help Feed Arlington's Food Insecure: Report

ARLINGTON, VA — Morningstar Foundation awarded $700,000 in grants on May 1 to 22 food businesses and nonprofits, including three in Arlington, to support their efforts in providing healthy food to the hungry in their communities.

These "Keeping It Cool" grants provide funding to establish for cold storage infrastructure, such as refrigerators, freezers, coolers and delivery vehicles, to help the businesses and nonprofits with their work.

Three Arlington organizations received a combined $52,703 in Keeping It Cool grant funding:

• $19,850: Red Savina (dba Roots ‘n Shoots)
• $22,000: Arlington Bridge Builders
• $10,853: Bridges to Independence

“Because Roots ‘n Shoots’ mission is to get microgreens in every fridge in the DMV, particularly for people with more intense nutritional needs like kids, elderly, those with illnesses, and those with low income, having enough refrigeration space and methods to keep microgreens cool while delivering them is important," said owner Paula Burdette. "We are pleased to be able to upgrade our refrigeration space and install temperature monitoring equipment with the Keeping it Cool grant funds provided by Capital Impact Partners.”

Arlington Bridge Builders, a nonprofit that operates a food pantry and food deliver service, will use the money to upgrade its cooling system and purchase three new refrigerators.

“We are excited to be receiving this grant as the growing demand for food has outpaced our ability to provide a healthy supply of fresh and frozen food," said Board Director Judy Kaueer. "The grant will allow us to improve food safety and shelf life with less spoilage. It will allow us to serve more people with increased efficiencies and less energy costs through new expanded refrigeration and an HVAC system."

This is the second year that The Morningstar Foundation has funded these grants. The Bainum Family Foundation and the Wells Fargo Foundation also provided support.

Bridges to Independence has empowered 16,000 homeless children and families since 1985. The $10,853 in Keeping It Cool grant funding will be used to purchase a new refrigerator and freezer.

“The freezers help Bridges to Independence to accept more donations of perishable items, reducing food waste and providing a wider variety of healthy options for the children and families staying at our emergency shelter for families, Sullivan House," said CEO Fraser Murdoch. "The added freezer capacity improves nutrition for the families and creates a more stable and comforting environment during what can be a challenging time. The grant enhances the emergency shelter's ability to provide food and promotes the well-being and health of the families we serve."

In addition, the Capital Area Food Bank, which provides food support across the DMV, including Arlington, will received $30,000 in Keeping It Cool funding to support the construction of refrigerator and freezer spaces at the new warehouse being build in Lorton.

View The Full List of 2024 Keeping It Cool Grantees

Susie and Michael Gelman, directors of The Morningstar Foundation, were thrilled to support the Keep It Cool for a second year.

“We understand that different organizations and entrepreneurs have distinct needs, and we also have learned more about differences throughout the region," the said, in a release. "Keeping it Cool not only provides resources to purchase the cold storage while also providing technical assistance tailored to support specific needs for each entity. We are proud that Keeping it Cool makes a difference to these innovative organizations and food businesses while also strengthening economic development in our region.”