Healthy Community Grant

Advocacy Network for Children, CASA Pike County: $7500

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program has seen an increased need for CASA volunteers as more children become under the care of the court. The Pike County program was started to help abused and neglected children. To assist with the county’s expanding need, grant funds were used to hire a CASA program coordinator and volunteer supervisor to be dedicated to Pike County in support of youth in the care of the court system.

Pleasant Hill Therapy Dog: $4274

Grant funds were used to provide formal training of a therapy dog to support students in grades K-12 in Pleasant Hill CUSD #3.

Pike County Health Department: $6000

The Illinois Project for Local Assessment of Needs (IPLAN) is a community health assessment and planning process conducted every five years by the Pike County Health Department and mandated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The essential elements of IPLAN include an organizational capacity assessment; a community health needs assessment; and a community health plan, which focuses on a minimum of three priority health problems.

Picture Pittsfield: $1000

Grant funding was awarded to help purchase paving materials to facilitate the completion of a new walking path at Pittsfield’s King Park.

Pike County CEO: $1000

This funding constitutes support for this program that enables participating High School students to be immersed in real-life learning experiences. HWFPC has awarded $1000 annually to assist in the operations of this program which offers: business mentors; an annual student Trade Show which serves to inspire students to return to their communities to start successful businesses in their home communities.

Access Food: $3500

This program provides animal protein to Pike County food pantries by utilizing deer harvested locally by hunters. Much of the county’s population is food insecure and frequently utilizes food pantries that serve approximately 3000 individuals monthly through Two Rivers Food Pantry in Pittsfield and Barry Food Pantry. Grant funds will be used to process the estimated 200+ deer donated by Pike County hunters.

Pleasant Hill School Playground: $7500

Grant funds were used to replace the existing old and unsafe Pleasant Hill Elementary School playground equipment. The new equipment provides an updated and safe play area that promotes healthy activities for Pleasant Hill youth grades Pre K through 3.

Access Food Project, Two Rivers RC&D: $3500

This program provides animal protein to Pike County food pantries by utilizing deer harvested locally by hunters. Over 12% of the county's population is food insecure and frequently utilize food pantries that serve approximately 3000 individuals monthly through the Two Rivers Food Pantry in Pittsfield and the Barry Food Pantry. Grant funds will be used to process the estimated 200+ deer donated by Pike County hunters equating to 10,000 pounds of protein and help to provide much-needed protein for Pike County families.

Pike CEO Program: $1000

This funding constitutes support for this valuable program that enables participating High School students to be immersed in real-life learning experiences that teach them to take risks and learn from the outcomes. Since its inception, HWFPC has awarded $1000 annually to assist in the operations of this program which offers: business mentors; an annual student Trade Show to showcase their businesses, and serves to inspire students to return to their communities to live in and start successful businesses in their home communities.

Griggsville-Perry High School Mental Health Awareness Day: $1290

The need for expanded social-emotional support for Pike County students will be addressed in the Griggsville-Perry High School through their Mental Health Awareness Day. Grant funds will be used to underwrite the event to be held on December 20th. High school students will gain the benefit of presenters covering 6 key topics which include: positive mental health, suicide awareness, benefits of sleep, depression, stress management, and healthy relationships.

SIU School of Medicine Center for Family Medicine, Pike County Health Department Facility Upgrades: $21,800

To address the growing demand for health services, partly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, HWFPC awarded grant funding to be used toward remodeling Pike County Health Department offices and clinic space. SIU also expanded the Safety Net Dental Clinic staffing and offerings, which required additional space to better meet the growing demand for services.  

Pike County Food Pantries/Programs: Pikeland Snack Pack Program, Griggsville/Perry Snack Pack Program, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Summer Meal Program, Barry Food Pantry, The Crossing Food Pantry, Two Rivers Reach-Out Food Pantry:$30,000

HWFPC awarded six grants in the amount of $5000 each toward the purchase of food supplies, as well as perishable and non-perishable items for all of the food pantries in Pike County and one summer food program for youth. The needs imposed on families, seniors, and children as a result of the pandemic, and economic pressures have increased the utilization of these resources and seen usage by new families and individuals requiring assistance. 

Two Rivers RC&D, Access Food Project: $5200  
This program provides animal protein to Pike County food pantries by utilizing deer harvested locally by hunters. Over 12% of the county’s population is food insecure and frequently utilize food pantries serving approximately 3000 individuals monthly through the Two Rivers Food Pantry in Pittsfield and the Barry Food Pantry. Grant funds will be used to process the estimated 200+ deer donated by Pike County hunters. and help to provide much-needed protein for Pike County families.

Pike County Health Department, Technology Upgrades: $5000

Essential to the daily operations of the Health Department, is its ability to electronically provide much-needed public health services and to receive necessary security updates to operating system software. In support of the Health Dept.’s multi-phase approach to addressing the need, HWFPC grant funds will be used to purchase HP office computers to replace current outdated, aging, and unreliable equipment, operating/business software, and related installation expenses. 

Pike County Unmet Needs (PCUN): $3500

Pike County Unmet Needs is governed by a Board of Directors and case workers who seek to fund interventions for families with no other forms of assistance. Among the areas of needs met by this group are transportation, utilities, housing, food, and other personal necessities. In the last fiscal year, PCUN has provided assistance to 239 adults and 173 children. In June 2019 HWFPC provided a $3500 grant to PCUN, and in the current cycle, HWFPC grant fund will enable PCUN to meet the growing demand for assistance.

Griggsville-Perry High School, Mental Health Awareness Day: $1290

The need for expanded social-emotional support for Pike County students will be addressed in the Griggsville-Perry High School through their Mental Health Awareness Day. HWFPC has awarded $1290 to underwrite the event held on December 20. The high school’s 89 students will gain the benefit of presenters covering 6 key topics which include: positive mental health, suicide awareness, benefits of sleep, depression, stress management, and healthy relationships.

Pike CEO Program: $1000

This funding constitutes year 4 of support for this valuable program that enables participating High School students to be immersed in real-life learning experiences that teach them to take risks and learn from the outcomes. HWFPC has awarded $1000 annually to assist in the operations of this program which offers: business mentors; an annual student Trade Show; and serves to inspire students to start successful businesses in their home communities.

Pike County Health Department, Safety Net Dental Clinic: $7500

Opened in 2103 by the Safety Net Dental Clinic aids low in-come, underserved individuals who rely on Medicaid or have no source of affordable dental care. Currently, they serve over 4400 patients from 89 zip codes. Grant funds will be used to purchase replacement dental equipment and patient treatment supplies. Safety is a growing concern in Pike County and all rural populations due to opioid addiction, illegal drug usage, and increased violence, thus grant funds will also purchase a security system that will enable them to monitor the facility or review for suspicious activity.

Pike County 708 Mental Health Board, Mental Health Survey: $6000

In response to the state of need for mental health in Pike County and the diminishing availability of resources, HWFPC offered grant funding in the amount of $6000 to the Pike County 708 Mental Health Board. Grant funds were used to hire an individual to conduct a mental health resource evaluation to be utilized by the Pike County 708 Mental Health Board in understanding the scope of this need and discerning how those needs are being met. This evaluation was also made available to any other provider seeking to utilize the information.  

Two Rivers RC&D, Access Food Project: $5000  

This program provides animal protein to Pike County food pantries by utilizing deer harvested locally by hunters. Over 14% of the county’s population is food insecure and frequently utilize food pantries that serve approximately 3000 individuals monthly through the 2 Rivers Food Pantry in Pittsfield and the Barry Food Pantry. HWFPC grant funds will be used to process the estimated 200+ deer donated by Pike County hunters.    

PCUN: $3500

Pike County Unmet Needs is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and case workers who seek to fund interventions for families with no other forms of assistance. Among the areas of needs met by this group are transportation, utilities, housing, food, and other personal necessities. Grant funds were used to meet the growing demand for assistance.

Barry Food Pantry: $5000

This all-volunteer enterprise, the Barry Food Pantry is open 3 days a week: 2 mornings and one evening serving Barry, the Western School District, and families in that region of the county. Grant funds were used to purchase food, perishable, and non-perishable items for the Barry Food Pantry that are then given to individuals and families in need.  

Pike CEO Program: $1000

This funding constitutes year 3 of a three-year, $3000 pledge to this program enabling Pike County students to be immersed in real-life learning experiences that teach them to take risks and learn from the outcomes. Grant funds are used to support the program and enable students to experience a learning experience that focuses on “21st Century“ skills to be inspired to return to their communities to start successful businesses.

Illini Community Hospital Growing Our Care, Capital Expansion Project: $5000/Year 5 of $25,000 Pledge

The “Growing Our Care” Campaign expansion will more than double the size of the Illini Rural Health Clinic as well as create new areas for the Consulting Physicians Clinic, Outpatient Services, and Oncology in the previously unused space above the Emergency Department. Grant funds will support these additions and allow Illini to better serve its expanding patient base, encompassing: more than 4,000 patients served by the Rural Health Clinic, nearly 2,500 patients seen annually by the Outpatient Services and Oncology Departments, and the nearly 4,500 patients seen each year by the Consulting Physicians Clinic.