FARE Grants to Volunteers and Support Group Leaders Fund Education, Advocacy and Awareness

FARE’s Community Outreach Award program empowers volunteers across the country to implement initiatives that educate others about the severity of food allergies, raising awareness of food allergies as a serious public health issue and create lasting change in their communities. Earlier this year, FARE awarded 24 community outreach awards totaling $62,625 to 24 food allergy leaders across the country, supporting volunteer-led activities that serve communities in 24 states.

Applications for Community Outreach Awards were peer-reviewed by a selection committee of FARE staff and volunteers. The awards program criteria required partnerships or collaborations with organizations that have broad community reach, extending beyond the food allergy community to expand the circle of awareness. Initiatives that received awards include awareness events for students; food allergy trainings for schools, camps and public venues; child-friendly, food-free events such as Easter egg hunts and Teal Pumpkin Project activities for Halloween; and allergy-friendly food donations plus food allergy information for foodbanks and shelters.

Also this year, FARE has granted more than $13,500 in stipends to 27 FARE-Recognized Support Groups serving food allergy families in 29 states. One support group leader explained the impact of these $500 stipends:

“This will be a huge benefit to us! We will be able to afford to do more - more flyers, more resources to share, and a website I don’t have to worry about taking down because of costs.”

Support groups have a vital role in carrying out FARE’s mission by hosting meetings, forums, and events to help families living with food allergies feel safe, included, and supported. Click here to find a support group in your local area.

We thank Genentech for supporting the Community Outreach Awards.

The Community Outreach Award projects are listed below by region:

MIDWEST

Just Like You Films – Food Allergy
Food Allergy Support Group of Greater Kansas City (Kansas)

No Nuts Moms Group East Egg Hunt
No Nuts Moms Group of Michigan (Michigan)

Food Allergy Public Outreach
Anaphylaxis & Food Allergy Association of Minnesota (Minnesota)

Educating on Food Allergy 101 with a Flair
West Metro Food Allergy Connection (Minnesota)

NEOFAN Community Outreach and Educational Programs
Northeast Ohio Food Allergy Network (Ohio)

School Food Allergy Trainings
North East (Wisconsin)

NORTHEAST

Food Allergy Friends Youth & Parent/Caregiver Support Group
Food Allergy Friends (Connecticut)

Food Allergy Awareness Event at First Parish
South Shore Allergy Families Education (Massachusetts)

Food Allergy Education and Outreach
No Nuts Moms Group of South Jersey (New Jersey)

5th Annual PHACT Food Free Egg Hunt
Parents Having Allergic Children Team (PHACT) of Chester County (Pennsylvania)

Food Allergy Education in Schools
Capital District Food Allergy Support Group (New York)

SOUTHEAST

Tampa Bay Area School and Newly Diagnosed Education and Awareness
Food Allergy Support Group of Tampa Bay (Florida)

FAKA Community Outreach Program
Food Allergy Kids of Atlanta, Inc. (Georgia)

Building Bridges to Understanding Food Allergies
Parents of Allergic Kids (North Carolina)

Local Shelter and Food Pantry Outreach and Education
Northern Virginia Food Allergy Group (Virginia)

Food Allergy Alliance of the Mid-South Community Support, Education & Outreach
Food Allergy Alliance of the Mid-South (FAAM) (Tennessee)

SOUTHWEST

Alhambra School Nurse Session and AZ Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Conference
Phoenix Food Allergy Community (Arizona)

Increase Awareness and Student Safety
San Antonio Food Allergy Support Team (Texas)

WEST

Advocating Beyond Food
No Nuts Moms Group of Orange County (California)

Jump in & Learn About Food Allergies!
San Francisco Bay Area (California)

Making the Grade – Allergy Safety & Inclusion
Denver Metro Area (Colorado)

Teal Pumpkin Project Advocacy and Spring Parent Conference
AAPE (Asthma and Allergy Parent Education (Nevada)

Food Allergy Education and Outreach
Food-Free Fun for Everyone (Oregon)

Food Allergy Outreach and Education
Utah Food Allergy Network (Utah)