As part of Tyson Foods’ efforts to raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do and its commitment to support the communities it serves where help is needed most, the company announced May 29 over $600,000 in grants to six community healthcare providers in four states.
The company’s efforts to support its communities include $200,000 to the University of Arkansas Foundation Fund, Inc., for the benefit of University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest Regional Campus (UAMS) in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to improve the health literacy of the community, build healthcare professional cultural competency and empower the Hispanic/Latino and Marshallese/Pacific Islander communities to better navigate healthcare systems.
Material and resources to be developed include educational training videos, cultural competency training events, community health worker training, and diabetes self-management education.
“We are proud to be a part of Tyson Foods’ efforts to address community health issues in their communities,” said Pearl McElfish, Ph.D., M.B.A., associate vice chancellor of UAMS Northwest Regional Campus and director of the UAMS Office of Community Health and Research. “Our research shows that we have better health outcomes through culturally sensitive approaches and Tyson Foods taking this approach will benefit the entire community in a variety of ways.”
Tyson Foods also awarded a total of $305,000 to Kearny County Hospital in Holcomb, Kansas, Midtown Health Center in Madison, Nebraska, Community Clinic in Springdale, Arkansas, and Mercy Health in Rogers, Arkansas. These grants will fund a community health liaison who will seek opportunities to better connect Tyson Foods team members and the communities with healthcare professionals, health education classes and translation of health information.
“We are grateful for Tyson Foods’ generosity and for trusting Mercy with this innovative partnership to improve the health and well-being of Tyson team members,” said Eric Pianalto, president of Mercy Hospital. “Mercy looks forward to working closely with Tyson Foods to assess its team members’ greatest health needs and find ways to deliver meaningful support.”
Logansport Memorial Hospital and Four County Counseling Center in Logansport, Indiana, were awarded $100,000 for substance abuse orientation and treatment, mobile health screenings and community inventory research to identify gaps in health services.
“We’ve taken a close look at healthcare opportunities in Tyson Foods communities and these investments represent our willingness to listen to key stakeholders and understand where we can make the most impact,” said Debra Vernon, senior director, corporate social responsibility for Tyson Foods.
