In the News
Aid in Milan Receives Grant
to Double Their Dairy
Dairy farmers partner with local pantry to provide more nutrient-rich dairy foods.
Milan, MI. [October, 2022] – Michigan’s dairy farmers recently awarded Aid in Milan the United Dairy Industry of Michigan’s (UDIM) Food Pantry Grant to help increase the availability of nutrient-rich foods in their community. Food pantries have seen an increased demand for their resources since the start of the pandemic.
The granted funds allow the pantry to buy twice the amount of milk, cheese and yogurt by providing one dollar for every dollar spent by the organization. According to the 2020 Dietary Guidelines, Americans of all activity levels over the age of eight should include three servings of low-fat or fat-free milk or milk products in their diet every day. Dairy is an important source of calcium and vitamin D, nutrients inadequate in most American diets.
“This grant allows us to offer more dairy items to our single mothers, seniors, and children’s programs,” says Jennifer Leussenkamp, Director of Pantry Services. “We’re thankful we can provide even more healthy food options for our community pantry.”
“Michigan’s dairy farmers feel passionately about the nutrition milk provides and want all Americans to have access to this safe, wholesome product,” says Cortney A-Boes Freeland, Manager of Education and Community Partnerships, UDIM.
About the United Dairy Industry of Michigan
The United Dairy Industry of Michigan is the umbrella organization for the Dairy Council of Michigan and the American Dairy Association of Michigan. On behalf of Michigan’s dairy farm families, these non-profit organizations provide science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier society, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. For more information, visit MilkMeansMore.org.
Aid in Milan receives $5,000 Grant to Enhance Children’s Mental Wellness
The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation has generously gifted Aid in Milan with a $5,000 mini-grant designated for the enhancement of children’s mental health in the greater Milan area. Partnering with the University of Michigan, the grant money will fund monthly mental health workshops, free to the community. The workshops will educate parents on behavior issues, testing, treatments, and more. A question and answer time at each workshop gives parents the opportunity to seek more information as needed.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to offer this resource to our parents,” says Interim Executive Director, Michele McGovern. “Our hope is that the community will take advantage of these free sessions to alleviate questions and frustrations related to their children’s behavior.”
The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation is a Detroit based private foundation established in 1976 by Ethel “Peggy” Flinn and her brother, James “Jim” Flinn, Jr. Peggy passed away in 1994. Jim Flinn, Jr., who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his early 20’s, led a remarkable life until his passing away in 2007 at the age of 91.
The Foundation is committed to improving the scope, quality and delivery of mental health services in Michigan. Since inception, over $47 million in grants have been awarded. The Foundation’s geographic focus is primarily Southeast Michigan, defined as the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw.
For more information, contact Andrea M. Cole, Executive Director and CEO of the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation at (313) 309-3436 or visit their website at www.flinnfoundation.org
