Mobile, AL – Feeding the Gulf Coast is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a $10,000 “Fly Beyond” grant from The Wawa Foundation. This generous grant will expand access to fresh, nutritious produce for underserved youth along the central Gulf Coast through the Backpack Program, which provides children with meals over the weekend when school is not in session.

The Wawa Foundation’s Fly Beyond Key Issue Grants are awarded to qualified partners with existing or new programs aligned with this goal. In total, The Wawa Foundation is awarding $1.5 million to 29 Fly Beyond Key Issue Grant recipients as part of a set of signature initiatives to make more fresh, nutritious meals available to youth and families through its food bank partners.

“The Fly Beyond key issue grant is a significant effort to fight food insecurity in our communities and will focus on programs emphasizing that good, nutritious food can build healthy habits, support the success of students, and help them thrive,” said Elizabeth Simeone, President of The Wawa Foundation. “We were thrilled to support Feeding the Gulf Coast as they work to provide consistent access to nutritious and healthy meals for kids. By supporting these programs and our partners, we hope to inspire others, raise awareness, and reach more youth to achieve their greatest potential.”

As a current community partner nonprofit of The Wawa Foundation, a Feeding America food bank and a Check-Out Hunger food bank partner of The Wawa Foundation, Feeding the Gulf Coast applied for a Fly Beyond Key Issue Grant. The Wawa Foundation reviewed proposals and awarded grants based on fit within Fly Beyond criteria and goals, program reach and impact, and size of Wawa market served.

“Wawa’s ongoing generous support and partnership are an investment in the health and well-being of our children and demonstrate their strong commitment to building stronger, healthier communities,” said Cyndy Baggett, Vice President of Development and Marketing at Feeding the Gulf Coast. “This grant will help us provide more fresh produce to children through our Backpack Program. We are grateful to have Wawa as a valued partner in this important work.”