Summit Medical Group Foundation Receives $100,000 Grant From the Horizon Foundation For New Jersey To Fund Food, Health & Hope: An Answer To Diabetes

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J., Aug. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Summit Medical Group Foundation has received a $100,000 grant from The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey to support Food, Health and Hope: An Answer to Diabetes (FHH Diabetes), a collaborative program with The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ). FHH Diabetes focuses on reducing the impact of diabetes in New Jersey urban municipalities in Essex, Passaic and Union counties, where adults with diabetes account for up to 10.6 percent of the population. Together with seven community/faith-based organizations, SMGF and CFBNJ continue to devote their time, resources and experienced manpower to improve the health of New Jersey residents.

"We are so grateful to have been awarded this grant from The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey," said Joe Finocchiaro, Summit Medical Group Foundation Executive Director. "These crucial funds will allow us to continue to help reduce the number of those impacted by diabetes, minimizing the number of people likely to forgo the care they need for financial reasons," Finocchiaro added.

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is committed to working alongside those who help improve their neighbors' health, inform their decisions and inspire them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. Since its inception in 2004, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey has awarded more than 1,400 grants and more than $54 million in support of non-profit organizations that have improved public health and the quality of life in New Jersey.

In seven CFBNJ food pantries in Essex, Passaic and Union counties, food pantry clients are offered an opportunity to participate in FHH Diabetes. If clients are unsure whether they have diabetes, they can take advantage of free medical screenings provided by clinically-trained SMGF volunteers. FHH Diabetes is building upon its 2017 pilot project, which provided more than 2,500 screenings and exemplified a true willingness of consumers to participate in local, free medical screenings at the site where they received food. Participants in FHH Diabetes receive vast benefits, all of which are free, including:

• Healthy, diabetes-appropriate food boxes with fresh produce, whole grains and lean meats
• Culturally and ethnically sensitive recipes
• Diabetes and healthy lifestyle education (both in-person with educators and via brochures)
• Quarterly monitoring of blood pressure and Hba1c (average blood sugar level over 3 months)
• Annual multi-specialty screening in bodily areas affected by diabetes, including feet and vision
• Facilitation for quick appointments at local health clinics
• Access to low-cost prescription assistance for diabetes-related medications.

"We are pleased to support this important collaboration between Summit Medical Group Foundation and Community FoodBank of New Jersey," said Jonathan R. Pearson, Executive Director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. "This project and joint partnership aligns with our commitment to improving the health and communities we serve throughout New Jersey."

Summit Medical Group Foundation (SMGF) is committed to creating healthier tomorrows for all members of the community by improving access to healthcare for underserved individuals, educating and inspiring future healthcare providers, and promoting the courage, confidence and emotional well-being of individuals and their families facing cancer. SMGF was established in 2013 by Summit Medical Group, New Jersey's oldest and largest private multispecialty physician group, to grow its culture of philanthropy and further its nearly 100-year legacy of providing programs and services that extend far beyond traditional medical care. For more information please visit smg-foundation.org.

About The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey
The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is committed to working alongside those who can help us improve our neighbors' health, inform their health decisions and inspire them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. The Foundation's mission is to support organizations that make New Jersey healthier. The Foundation has three funding pillars, Caring, Connecting and Creating. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is the sole member of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, both of which are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information please visit http://community.horizonblue.com/.

SOURCE Summit Medical Group Foundation