The $1 million grant to Mercy Housing Inc. will fund efforts to combat food insecurity at MHI properties across the U.S. providing low-income families with healthier food and lifestyles

DENVER— The Walmart Foundation is helping to fund Mercy Housing Inc.’s (MHI) efforts to improve the health of low-income people in need across the nation by expanding nutrition education and improving access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  MHI offers affordable housing with supportive, program-enriched services for families, seniors, and people with special needs, and has a presence in 41 states and over 35 years’ experience. This sizeable grant will fund efforts to combat food insecurity across 176 of MHI’s housing properties throughout the U.S.

MHI goals:

• Increase SNAP enrollment
• Reduce food insecurity across Mercy Housing properties by 10%
• Provide food and nutrition education
• Formalize and expand access to foodbanks and food pantries

“Mercy Housing doesn’t just offer shelter, we offer homes and services so that people have what they need to succeed. Good health and a home can make the world of difference for someone that’s working to improve their life,” says MHI’s CEO, Jane Graf.

With roughly 15 million U.S. households experiencing food insecurity (2017 USDA survey) — the lack of sufficient, affordable, or nutritious food — The Walmart Foundation funding will help MHI bolster their efforts to strategically align food assistance services most efficiently and unlock a greater impact on food insecurity. MHI properties were selected based on their food insecurity status and income-based SNAP eligibility. They want to provide over 7,000 people with healthy food, offer nutrition education to more than 2,000 people, and successfully submit 600 more SNAP applications during the funding period, which is September 2018 – May 2020.

“We’re excited about the innovative steps Mercy Housing is taking to address hunger by using property level analysis to provide services that are most appropriate for each community,” said Karrie Denniston, senior director of sustainability, Walmart Foundation. “We see tremendous potential in their multi-pronged approach and look forward to learning more as they help people with benefits, charitable food distribution and nutrition education.”

About Mercy Housing, Inc.

Mercy Housing, Inc. (MHI), is a leading national affordable housing nonprofit headquartered in Denver, Colo. Established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1981, and in operation in 41 states, MHI has over 35 years’ experience developing, preserving, managing, and financing affordable housing. MHI supplements much of its housing with Resident Services, programs that help residents build stable lives. MHI’s subsidiaries further the organization’s mission: Mercy Housing Management Group (MHMG) offers professional property management and Mercy Loan Fund (MLF) finances nonprofit organizations.

MHI serves tens of thousands of people with low incomes, including families, seniors, veterans, people who have experienced homelessness, and people with disabilities. Its mission is to build a more humane world where poverty is alleviated, communities are healthy, and all people can live to their full potential. To learn more about MHI and the services it provides, visit mercyhousing.org.