Nourish America aims to improve health and reduce malnutrition among at-risk groups like children, families, seniors and soldiers. It provides vitamin supplements, nutritious foods and nutrition education. Key programs include prenatal support for pregnant mothers, nourishing foods and supplements for low-income children, and physical education grants for schools. Research shows vitamin supplementation can improve IQ scores and behavior, while preventing deficiencies supports health, learning and performance.
2. Mission Statement Nourish America improves the health status of children, families, and seniors at risk for malnutrition. We do this. by providing vitamin supplements, nourishing foods (including organics and naturals) as well as nutrition education and research.
3. Strengthening Our Next Generation Providing low income pregnant mothers-to-be the prenatal multi-vitamin support they need to assure a healthy pregnancy and healthy babies at birth. Healthy Moms & Babies: Children First: Providing nourishing foods and supplements to help low income children thrive both at school and in life. Teen Support: Supplying teens with nutrients to support healthy growth, emotional balance and success. Jump Start PE: Providing micro-grants to support quality, daily physical education programs in our nations schools.
4. Other Nourish America programs include: Senior Support: Operation Vital Nutrients: Disaster Response: Assuring that our senior citizens have the basic nutrients they need to keep up their energy, their health and their independent living. Helping those in need in times of crisis with nourishment and support. Providing much needed multivitamins and other nutrients to our citizen soldiers- the National Guard.
5. Nourish America owes its success to an innovative model of collaboration driven by the belief that every American, regardless of socio-economic status, deserves to receive the basic nourishment that is essential for health and well-being In this way we significantly reduce the escalating cost to the American people to care for those in need while also improving the health and well-being of all our citizens.
6. Why Children? One out of six children live in poverty Nearly 29% of U.S. children under 12 over 13.5 million children are hungry or at-risk of hunger every day Over 30% of children are overweight; asthma and diabetes are youth epidemics Children are our future and they deserve every opportunity to succeed
7. What is the Price We Pay? Poor diets are estimated to cost the U.S. $71 billion a year in deaths and medical costs Low vitamin and mineral intake is associated with increased violence in teenagers Malnourished children score lower on achievement tests Malnutrition in children burdens taxpayers, healthcare systems, the criminal justice system It undermines the safety of our communities In other words It erodes the strength of our great nation
8. Why MultiVitamins? Vitamin Supplementation improved IQ scores in an average of 16 IQ points in 1553 children 300 children in Arizona and California who took vitamins for 3 months improved academically twice the rate of others 8,047 juvenile offenders reduced violence and antisocial behavior by 48%, improvements in conduct lasted at least one year
9. Why MultiVitamins? Food programs have tried to eradicate hunger and failed Dietary supplementation will never take the place of food STILL We can provide the essential vitamins and minerals to prevent deficiency while also improving childrens health, behavior and academic performance
10. Nourish America USA Children First The Program Makes Sense! Most Importantly IT WORKS! An award winning four star rated charity by Charity Navigator Assures that basic nutrient requirements are met Extremely Cost Effective: less than 10 cents a day per child It supports communities and families-involves local service agencies, schools, parents, grandparents and children
11. Nourish America USA Children First Currently provides daily multi-vitamins to more than 24,000 at-risk children at over 130 partner sites in 32 states. Partner sites include: Head Start, Healthy Start and WIC programs K-12 public schools and school districts Health Care for Homeless sites, battered women shelters, Volunteers of America, Native American programs YWCA and YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs City Park and Recreation Departments Hospital outreach programs, public health departments, medical and nursing school community outreach programs Other community-based and faith-based organizations
12. Nourish America USA Children First Compliance is High: Parents, Teachers, and Staff Value the Program 31% stated they are performing better in school 29% of teachers say children can concentrate better 25% of parents reported their child was less depressed and less angry and aggressive 52% report students are not ill as often as before
13. Nourish America USA Children First Compliance is High: Parents, Teachers, and Staff Value the Program 45% observed that their child is sleeping better 46% shared that when their child is sick it is not as severe nor does it last as long 57% commented their child is eating better and has more energy 35% noted their child is more positive, with improved self-image and self-esteem
14. Nourish America USA Children First We applaud the efforts of Nourish America USA to help low-income children. This initiative complements the food banks efforts to provide for the overall nutritional needs of its youngest clients. Martha Pickett, COO, Americas Second Harvest The California Association of Non-Profits (CAN) is proud to have Nourish America USA as a member Its creative and collaborative work fighting malnutrition nationwide truly represents the best of nonprofit thinking, resources and action. Florence L. Green, Director, CAN
15. Nourish America USA Children First It is less costly, both economically and socially, to PREVENT the negative consequences of malnutrition, than it is to deal with the painfully expensive aftermath. For every dollar spent on prevention, our nation saves two dollars.