2016 Revitalize Coupons Exchanged for Thousands of Dollars in Fresh Produce

Jul 26, 2016 | UA News

Article and photos by Urban Alliance staff.

Thousands of Hartford residents recently received Revitalize bags that were packed with a resource guide containing information about free and low-cost health services, a coupon for $5 in farmers market produce, and other helpful information about benefit programs like SNAP and the Summer Meals Program, through a door-to-door volunteer effort or through programs run by organizations in the Urban Alliance network.

Urban Alliance’s Revitalize initiative is working to help Hartford residents improve their nutrition and decrease the prevalence of adverse health conditions related to poor diet, like diabetes and heart disease, by providing information and incentives to utilize Hartford farmers markets, which provide an opportunity to access fresh and local produce throughout much of the year.

And this year, Revitalize coupons were redeemed at Hartford’s West End and North End Farmers Markets for a total of $4,427 worth of fruits and vegetables in just five weeks.

That’s about 900 baskets of berries or 1,500 bunches of greens!

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Widen the scope of positive impact by connecting Hartford residents to information about local free and low-cost local health programs, services and incentives to work towards health and wellness. Share this link: www.RevitalizeHartford.com!

The staff at Urban Alliance are familiar with Pastor Frank because he is a regular attendee to many of the trainings Urban Alliance provides on subjects like domestic violence, addressing childhood trauma, and better counseling techniques. “That’s been so valuable to me to be able to bring that back, not only in my counseling but also in my teaching and preaching ministries, “ shared Termine.

Pastor Frank was also one of the original members of the Micah group, a group of pastors that meets at Urban Alliance to discuss and strategize about challenging issues that face the church today. One of those earlier discussions on justice, incarceration, and returning citizens was particularly memorable. “We all lamented the fact that these men and women were coming out of prison into our churches and just kind of being thrown there,” said Termine, “We could do better than this.” That discussion planted the seeds that eventually led to the creation of Second Chance Churches – an opportunity for churches to provide support and mentoring to returning citizens that continues today.

When we asked Pastor Frank what he would say to another church that was unaware of Urban Alliance, he said, “If you are looking to get out in the community and make a difference in the community, Urban Alliance is a super way to do it. We’re a small church … we can’t do everything. Urban Alliance is a pathway to get our people involved in ministries that are already doing it, doing it well, and just need extra volunteers.”

Pastor Frank Termine’s story embodies many things we are trying to accomplish at Urban Alliance: supporting organizations in the communities they serve with training, resources, and opportunities to make a difference. Pastors and non-profit leaders face a wide range of challenges and, therefore, need a wide range of help and resources. Your support can help turn stories of struggle into stories like you find at Calvary Church.

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