July 20, 2022 – Maui Economic Opportunity announced today it received a grant for $10,000 from Bayer Fund, which will be used to provide about 175 kupuna with coupons for fresh produce at farmers markets on Maui Island.
The grant extends benefits from the annual Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, which provides $50 coupons to qualifying seniors. The grant will provide coupons to the 25 seniors on the SFMNP wait list as well as new applicants.
“It is always disappointing when program funds run out with additional qualifying applicants,” said MEO CEO Debbie Cabebe. “The Bayer Fund grant will allow MEO to assist those on the popular Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program wait list and 150 new applicants. Fresh produce, which is generally more expensive than processed foods, enhance nutrition, diets and health of the kupuna on Maui.”
“Throughout the years, the grants given through Bayer Fund have helped strengthen our communities across the United States,” said Al Mitchell, president of Bayer Fund. “We’re proud to be able to provide support to programs like the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, run by Maui Economic Opportunity, that helps combat the critical issue of food insecurity and ultimately helping ensure even more Maui residents have access to healthy, nutritious food.”
In 2021, Bayer Fund awarded more than $13.1 million to over 3,400 charitable and nonprofit organizations to help address essential needs in Food and Nutrition, STEM Education and Health & Wellness. Over the last five years, nonprofit organizations across the U.S. have received more than $75 million.
To learn more about Maui Economic Opportunity, visit meoinc.org.
*About Bayer Fund*
Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where Bayer customers and employees live and work by providing funding for food and nutrition, education and community development projects.
To learn more about Bayer Fund, visit www.fund.bayer.us.
A stand at the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center farmers market accepts Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons in this photo taken in May. A grant from the Bayer Fund allowed Maui Economic Opportunity, which runs the program, to hand out coupons for fresh produce to kupuna on the wait list and expand the program to others.
Maui Economic Opportunity photo
Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc., is a nonprofit agency that’s part of the national Community Action Partnership network, whose goal is to help low-income individuals and families and disenfranchised people help themselves and transform their lives. Chartered in 1965, MEO offers more than 40 programs that assist low-income people, kupuna, youths, persons with disabilities, immigrants and other disenfranchised individuals countywide. MEO runs the Human Services specialized transportation program for health and dialysis appointments, after-school and youth sports activities and more; and the Maui Bus paratransit system; Head Start preschools and Kahi Kamali‘i Infant Care Center; as well as programs that offer kupuna socialization and information; rent, mortgage and utility assistance; Spanish interpretation and translation; entrepreneurial and financial classes and support, including microloans; inmate reintegration into the community after release; youth drinking, drug, smoking, bullying and suicide prevention; and employment training and placement. For more information about the entire array of programs, visit meoinc.org or call (808) 249-2990.
