Donation Will Support Nutrition Prescription Program and Help to Address Long-term Effects of Flint Water Crisis in Children

The Rite Aid Foundation’s KidCents program announced today a $100,000 donation to Hurley Children’s Hospital to help address the long-term effects of the Flint water crisis. The donation will support Hurley Children’s Hospital’s Nutrition Prescription Program and will provide 10,000 fruit and vegetable prescriptions to all pediatric patients 6-months and older. The prescription, which will be provided at each primary care visit, can be redeemed for up to $10 of fresh fruits and vegetables at the Flint Farmer’s Market.

Rite Aid representatives will present the donation to Michigan State University and Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative Director Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Hurley Foundation President Richard Warmbold, Ph.D., today at 9:30 a.m. at Hurley Children’s Center located inside the Flint Farmers Market at 300 East First Street in Flint.

“Good nutrition is an important part of being healthy and that’s especially true for young children, whose bodies are still developing,” said Tracy Henderson, Rite Aid Foundation and Charitable Giving Initiatives Director. “The Rite Aid Foundation’s support of Hurley Children’s Hospital’s Nutrition Prescription Program will provide Flint area children with access to fresh fruits and vegetables rich in iron, calcium and Vitamin C, all of which can help reduce the amount of lead absorbed by the body. We are proud to support this unique program, one which we believe helps address long-term effects of Flint water crisis and result in improved health outcomes for Flint area children.”

In Michigan, Rite Aid employs more than 4,200 at its 275 stores and distribution center, including 115 associates at its eight stores in the city of Flint.

“Our Flint children deserve every opportunity to be healthy and successful,” said Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha. “The creation of Rite Aid’s generous donation will further ensure that our children are afforded the interventions to overcome this population-wide lead exposure. With over 15,000 visits per year, the Hurley Children’s Center serves the largest number of Medicaid children in Genesee County. This gift allows us to not only encourage better nutrition, but also exposes pediatric patients to nutritious foods, helping to form good eating habits for life while helping mitigate the effects of lead.”

Rite Aid has been a longtime supporter of Hurley Children’s Hospital through its sponsorship of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Since 1994, Rite Aid has raised more than $522,000 for Hurley Children’s Hospital.

“For over 108 years Hurley Medical Center has been committed to providing the highest level of comprehensive clinical and compassionate care for Genesee County residents and beyond,” said Richard Warmbold, Ph.D. “As the region’s leading premier public teaching hospital, this generous donation enables us to continue providing the most outstanding wellness education, disease prevention outreach and resources our community counts on, 24/7. Thanks to Rite Aid, a longtime supporter, and their amazing support, it will enable Hurley Children’s Center to continue ‘touching lives through better medicine,’ in so many wonderful ways, helping families affected by the Flint water crisis continue moving forward, providing a brighter and healthier future for their children.”

KidCents was developed by The Rite Aid Foundation to provide Rite Aid customers an opportunity to do even more to help the kids in the communities Rite Aid serves. Through KidCents, members of Rite Aid's wellness+ with Plenti program can round up their in-store or online purchases to the nearest dollar and give their change to one of more than 360 nonprofit organizations focused on improving the health and wellbeing of children.

Nonprofit organizations interested in participating in The Rite Aid Foundation's KidCents program can visit www.kidcents.com/apply to submit an application. To be eligible, an organization must be classified as exempt from federal tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code and meet the KidCents program guidelines. For more information, visit www.kidcents.com.

The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded nearly $25 million since 2001 to non-profit organizations. Additionally, Rite Aid, through the efforts of its customers, supplier partners and associates, has also raised more than $75 million for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals across the country since 1994.

Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE:RAD) is one of the nation's leading drugstore chains with nearly 4,600 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia and fiscal 2016 annual revenues of $30.7 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company's website at www.riteaid.com.

Rite AidKristin Kellum, 717-975-5713kristin.kellum@riteaid.com

Rite Aid (NYSE:RAD)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more Rite Aid Charts.
Rite Aid (NYSE:RAD)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more Rite Aid Charts.