The ToRCH Community Leadership Board is proud to announce the awarding of 10 grants, totaling $240,000, to local community organizations. These grants are designed to address gaps in services within the community, particularly those stemming from capacity and resource constraints in smaller-scale operations.
As part of the Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) pilot program, these grants will be used to resolve local challenges and enhance services to better meet the needs of residents. The program, which is a collaborative effort between Salem Memorial Hospital and MO HealthNet, seeks to improve health outcomes for Medicaid patients residing in six pilot counties. The initiative is focused on addressing upstream causes of poor health, such as social determinants of health, and integrating social care supports into clinical care to alleviate the impact of social challenges on health outcomes.
“We are thrilled to support these important local organizations that are making a direct impact on the well-being of our community,” said Brooke Bollman, CEO of Salem Memorial Hospital. “The funding will help expand services, reduce health disparities, and improve access to resources for our most vulnerable populations.”
The following local organizations have been awarded grants as part of this initiative:
• Aging Best – $60,000 to provide transportation for local clients and deliver healthy meals.
• Healthy Dent County – $50,000 to purchase exercise machines for a new Circuit-style workout program.
• Dent County Health Center – $40,000 to hire a Dietician to support nutrition and wellness programs.
• Lifeway Center – $32,000 to improve food storage and distribution services.
• Scenic Rivers Sheltered Workshop – $26,000 to hire a Community Support Coordinator.
• Salem Area Community Betterment Association – $17,000 to hire an Organization Coordinator to expand the Farmers’ Market SNAP benefits program.
• South Central Missouri Community Action Agency – $15,000 to enhance their Life Improvement and Family (LIFT) Training classes.
These organizations, through their innovative programs and services, are playing a vital role in improving the health and quality of life for residents in the ToRCH pilot communities.
The ToRCH Community Leadership Board, in partnership with MO HealthNet, remains committed to supporting local initiatives that address both immediate and long-term health challenges. The goal of the ToRCH program is to empower rural communities to create sustainable health improvements, fostering a healthier, more resilient population for years to come. A second round of funding for year two will be announced in the spring of 2025.
