JACKSON, Miss. -- For five years, AIM for CHangE has turned federal dollars into park updates, playgrounds, food pantries, ride-sharing programs and community produce gardens for underserved areas in Mississippi.

AIM for ChangE was honored with the 2023 Spirit of Service Award by the Mississippi Food Network, or MFN, at their annual board appreciation dinner on Dec. 5. This award recognizes individuals and organizations’ strides to lessen food insecurity across the state.

Short for Advancing, Inspiring, Motivating for Community Health through Extension, the program was launched in 2018 after the Mississippi State University Extension Service was awarded $5.5 million by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. AIM for CHangE helps to prevent obesity and promote exercise through improved access to places for physical activity in under-resourced communities.

The program’s success earned it another $4.4 million earlier this year. AIM For CHangE Program Manager Yolanda Pruitt said the funds would be used for similar purposes as the first funding cycle in 10 targeted counties whose populations have obesity rates over 40%.

“As soon as we received the first grant, we immediately began connecting with the Mississippi Food Network because our shared interests made us natural partners,” Pruitt said. “Since then, MSU Extension has collaborated with MFN and food pantries to install shelving and appliances that make it possible for the local pantries to procure healthier items.”

The team also worked directly with local pantry operators to implement choice and hybrid distribution models.

“These allow people to have some control over what foods they will take home to their families, which limits waste and improves the chances of the healthier options being consumed,” Pruitt said. “The hybrid side of this allows drive-through pantries the opportunity to still provide a choice.

“We believe the best is yet to come in our partnership with MFN, and we are grateful to them for this distinction,” she added.

So far, AIM for CHangE has worked with Mississippi communities to expand or build 13 food pantries, install more than 30 enhancements to 12 local parks, construct six community gardens, and establish a ride-sharing program that services four neighborhoods.

In addition, seven “StoryWalks” have been installed at some of the parks. StoryWalks are outdoor walking trails with pages from a book on posts along the way. The activity allows children and their families to exercise and read at the same time.

For more information on AIM for CHangE and how it is helping to reduce obesity and improve the health of Mississippi communities, visit http://msuext.ms/aim.