Nature Made Donates $1 Million to Los Angeles School District’s Food Relief Program
08.27.20
The company’s philanthropy efforts are targeted toward food and nutrition education programs for students in need at community schools near company locations.
Nature Made announced it has donated $1 million to support Los Angeles Unified School District’s efforts to offer food relief for students and families in need during COVID-19. The financial donation to the Grab & Go Program is part of Nature Made’s larger commitment to support schools in local communities that the company has roots in to ensure that those with the greatest need have continued access to food and education resources on the importance of healthy eating. Nature Made is also donating vitamins and supplements to help support the overall health of faculty and district staff that are making this year’s virtual learning environment possible.
“COVID has laid bare the inequities many schoolchildren and families face even under normal circumstances,” Jeff Boutelle, CEO of Pharmavite, the makers of Nature Made vitamins and supplements, said. “By supporting the dedicated efforts of Los Angeles Unified and other organizations who continue providing much needed access to food despite limited funds and resources, we’re helping ensure that children can spend more time focusing on their education versus wondering where their next meal is coming from.”
“Businesses and individuals have joined together to be part of this effort to help students and families in need,” Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “We are grateful to the Nature Made team for supporting their local community and for understanding the important role that food security plays in a child’s development and education.”
Nature Made is also funding EnrichLA’s Garden Care Program for the 2020-2021 school year, and its online education program for the fall semester. EnrichLA is a school garden nonprofit that works with over 90 schools in the greater Los Angeles area and reaches over 45,000 students each year, teaching them the importance of gardening, healthy eating, environmental stewardship, and more. Since funding comes directly from participating schools, which are under enormous economic strain during the pandemic, Nature Made’s donation guarantees that the school gardens will be maintained over the course of the upcoming school year.
“COVID has laid bare the inequities many schoolchildren and families face even under normal circumstances,” Jeff Boutelle, CEO of Pharmavite, the makers of Nature Made vitamins and supplements, said. “By supporting the dedicated efforts of Los Angeles Unified and other organizations who continue providing much needed access to food despite limited funds and resources, we’re helping ensure that children can spend more time focusing on their education versus wondering where their next meal is coming from.”
“Businesses and individuals have joined together to be part of this effort to help students and families in need,” Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “We are grateful to the Nature Made team for supporting their local community and for understanding the important role that food security plays in a child’s development and education.”
Nature Made is also funding EnrichLA’s Garden Care Program for the 2020-2021 school year, and its online education program for the fall semester. EnrichLA is a school garden nonprofit that works with over 90 schools in the greater Los Angeles area and reaches over 45,000 students each year, teaching them the importance of gardening, healthy eating, environmental stewardship, and more. Since funding comes directly from participating schools, which are under enormous economic strain during the pandemic, Nature Made’s donation guarantees that the school gardens will be maintained over the course of the upcoming school year.
