Distributing heart-healthy food and hygiene kits in Virginia
Developing healthy habits, including taking part in regular physical activity, not smoking, and eating fresh fruits and vegetables, can help lower your risk of heart disease.1 And in communities where there are barriers to social drivers of health, including a lack of access to nutritious food or difficulties with transportation, the risk for heart disease can be even greater.2
In Petersburg, Virginia, the Justin J. Davis Heart Foundation (JJD Heart) is working to promote the importance and benefits of a heart-healthy lifestyle. They operate two Healthy Heart and Hygiene (3H) Hubs located in the Appomattox Regional Governors School (ARGS) and Virginia Community Resource Center (VCRC). The VCRC 3H Hub provides access to free healthy food options, fresh produce, canned and dried food, hygiene, and listed cleaning items.
JJD Heart was established in 2017 by Justin J. Davis — who was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at the age of 24 — and his family. The organization, which started with providing hygiene kits to students at local schools, has grown to focus on other needs in the community, especially around food insecurity.
Food insecurity can contribute to many chronic conditions, including a risk of coronary heart disease.3 Understanding the impact of nutrition on a heart-healthy diet, JJD Heart acquired community refrigerators to stock with fruits and vegetables for those in underserved areas.
“We just grew from there,” said Karen Brown-Davis, executive director and co-founder of JJD Heart, and Justin’s mother. “We have both started and supported several community gardens and have committed to support 10 garden beds at Ettrick Elementary through this summer.”
But there was a challenge when it came to food pickup and delivery — they often relied on rented vehicles, which required additional planning, coordination and expense.
To assist, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Virginia donated a van to help streamline pick up, transport and distribution.
“We had something they could use and benefit from, a way of giving back to the community,” said Teela Tyler, senior community outreach representative from UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Virginia. “Now those funds (for vehicle rentals) can be reallocated back into the program.”
The van is also helping JJD Heart:
- Deliver food to people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to carry it home, including older adults
- Take produce and nonperishables to stock community refrigerators, where people can take what they need at no cost
- Pick up donations for other essentials that are later distributed to those in need
- Distribute fresh produce via “Produce PopUps” events throughout Central Virginia (Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Colonial Heights, Emporia, Hopewell, Prince George, Sussex and Surry)
“We just try to be as helpful as we can,” Karen said. “I’m happy with the direction we’re going in and that the van was such a blessing. It has just opened so many doors and opportunities for us to broaden our footprint on who we serve, and how we serve, as well.”
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