The John Rex Endowment announces the approval of four healthy weight grants totaling $586,538. The North Carolina Council of Churches, Salvation Army of Wake County, Town of Zebulon and York Elementary School PTA will receive grants for healthy weight projects that focus on policy and environment changes, long-lasting preventive benefits, and wide public impact.  

The North Carolina Council of Churches will receive $190,044 for a two-year grant to reduce childhood overweight and obesity in low-resource congregations in Wake County by encouraging mothers to care for their bodies before, during, and after pregnancy and to care for their babies through breastfeeding.

Salvation Army of Wake County will receive a four-month grant of $84,318 to update unsafe playground equipment at The Salvation Army of Wake County’s Community Center with new, safe playground equipment that encourages physical activity and healthy, active behaviors for children.

The Town of Zebulon will receive a one-year grant of $92,476 to provide the youth in Whitley Park community with challenging, contemporary play equipment that will engage them physically, socially and creatively.

York Elementary School PTA will receive $219,700 to improve the playground and refinish the school track with the focus on creating a safe space for the physical activity that is accessible to the entire school community. The local PTA unit will work with York Elementary School with the goal of ensuring that all students at the school participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes every school day.

“Children’s activity levels and eating habits are heavily influenced by factors beyond their control,” said Kevin Cain, president and CEO of the John Rex Endowment. “We support projects with the goal of improving policies and implementing changes to the built environment that increase children’s access to healthy foods and active living opportunities in Wake County municipalities.”