Cooper University Health Care has been awarded a $19,300 grant to enhance its efforts in fighting food insecurity and addressing related social needs in Camden. The funding, provided through the Camden Food Security Collective, will support Cooper’s Community Health Worker (CHW) program.
This grant will enable Cooper’s CHW team to provide on-site support at eight corner stores across Camden in partnership with The Food Trust, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit. The CHWs will be available on a rotating schedule to connect residents with vital resources, including assistance with SNAP benefits, food pantries, housing services, and employment opportunities. They will use the CooperUnite digital platform to help residents navigate these services.
“Through this grant, we’re able to deepen our reach into the Camden community and provide meaningful, person-centered support right where people live and shop,” said Elizabeth Nice, MS, vice president of Cooper Care Alliance and Population Health. She added that CHWs play a crucial role in identifying challenges and connecting individuals with resources that promote long-term well-being.
Danielle Santiago-Roach, MS, manager of social determinants of health initiatives at Cooper, echoed this sentiment. “Our CHWs are trusted messengers who not only connect residents to services but also empower them to take steps toward lasting health and stability,” she said. The CHW program provides culturally responsive support to address social and systemic barriers to care. Once enrolled, patients complete a screening to identify social determinants of health, such as housing and food access, to help them get connected to the right resources.
The grant, supported by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and administered by the Food Bank of South Jersey, reinforces Cooper’s long-standing commitment to improving health and addressing food insecurity in the community.
