GILROY (December 21, 2016) – Gilroy Unified School District (GUSD) celebrated the award of $20,000 in financial and in-kind resources to expand nutrition and physical activity programs with a ‘Hometown Grant’ event December 15th at Ascencion Solorsano Middle School. The grant includes $10,000 from a partnership between California dairy families and the San Francisco 49ers through the Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP 60) program, matched by the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition (NFFSN) in support of the Presidential Youth Fitness Program’s 60th anniversary celebration.
"With a district motto of ‘Excellence: It Takes Everyone!’ this grant brings to life a true commitment of organizations investing in the future of our students, faculty and community,” said Gilroy Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Deborah Flores. "An additional $20,000 in resources will support our wellness policy, which promotes the nutrients in dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grain products, along with physical activity whether it be a dance class or a soccer game.”
The ‘Hometown Grant’ and match will help ensure students in the Gilroy Unified School District join the 13 million students who are eating healthier, 16 million students who are more active and 130,000 adults who are enrolled and empowering youth in the United States through one national program – FUTP 60. A total of $80,000 in ‘Hometown Grant’ funds and resources have been awarded to California school districts in 2016.
“Supporting healthy kids takes a community. California dairy families are excited to support Gilroy Unified in its continuing commitment to making nutritious foods and physical activity programs available to students so they can live healthy, active lives and perform better in the classroom,” said Jennifer Giambroni, Director of Communications for the CMAB.
Developed by FUTP 60 and the National Football League (NFL), the ‘Hometown Grant’ program provides teams and dairy organizations like Real California Milk with the opportunity to identify deserving schools in their area and provide them with funding to help meet their health and wellness goals. Each of the 32 NFL Clubs, Fuel Up to Play 60 and local dairy representatives are providing $10,000 grants in communities throughout the country totaling a $320,000 investment in youth health and wellness. For the 2016 season, the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition is matching the NFL’s donation of $10,000 in resources to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the President’s Council of Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, the nation’s youth fitness education and assessment program.
“Our organization has partnered with GUSD in the past as a part of our youth football program to promote physical activity and are proud to be expanding our partnership with the community even further to incorporate the importance of nutrition,” said Brent Schoeb, Vice President of Corporate Sponsorships for the San Francisco 49ers. “Having the opportunity to partner with the state’s dairy families allows for a larger conversation to take place around the importance of healthy eating and refueling with simple and real foods such as dairy, a food group we know our organization loves.”
Created in partnership by the NFL and National Dairy Council, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fuel Up to Play 60 is the nation’s largest in-school wellness program creating real transformational change in more than 73,000 schools nationwide. The national in-school nutrition and physical-activity program is activated in California by the state’s more than 1,300 dairy farm families. Since fall 2014, FUTP 60 has helped to award more than $430,000 in grants to schools throughout California in support of their wellness goals.
About the San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers, owned by Denise and John York, currently play in the NFC West division and have won five Super Bowl trophies including Super Bowl XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV and XXIX. The franchise also has six conference championships and 19 divisional championships and was the first major league professional sports team to be based in San Francisco 70 years ago. Please visit www.49ers.com and follow the 49ers on Facebook and Twitter @49ers.
About Fuel Up to Play 60
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC), which was founded by America’s dairy farmers, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Fuel Up to Play 60 is designed to engage and empower youth to take action for their own health by implementing long-term, positive changes for themselves and their schools. The program additionally encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods (low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains) and achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. As a result of the program, last year 14 million students made better food choices and are getting more physically active during the school day. Fuel Up to Play 60 is further supported by several health and nutrition organizations: Action for Healthy Kids, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Association/Foundation, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition Association. Visit FuelUpToPlay60.com to learn more.
About National Foundation on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition
The National Foundation on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition believes that the strongest America is one where every citizen has the opportunity to lead a healthy lifestyle. As the official foundation of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, the National Foundation is the only congressionally chartered nonprofit with the sole focus to help more Americans be active, play sports & eat healthy. Through private donations and partnerships, the Foundation supports programs and initiatives that educate, engage, and empower Americans of all backgrounds and abilities to adopt a healthy lifestyle. For more information, visit fitness.foundation.