Spanberger Announces $125,000 Federal Grant for Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services to Address Food Security Among Seniors

The Award Was Made Possible Through CDC Funding the Congresswoman Voted to Pass

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today announced a grant totaling $125,000 for Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services (RRCS) to address food and nutrition security in the area.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awarded the grant to RRCS through the Social Determinants of Health Accelerator grant program. Specifically, the grant will be used to coordinate with local health departments, the University of Virginia, PATH Foundation, Virginia Aging and Rehabilitation Services, and other stakeholders to address food and nutrition needs in the community by connecting Virginians to existing infrastructure and nutritional education opportunities through mobile outreach. Additionally, this outreach will help combat social isolation — which has intensified in Virginia’s elderly community in the wake of COVID-19.

“This award recognizes that there are significant disparities in access to nutrition throughout our region — and I am proud to see so many organizations here in Virginia recognize the need to step up and help improve the conditions of our neighbors, particularly seniors,” said Spanberger. “I want to congratulate Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services on receiving this award, and I want to thank them for their continued commitment to our communities.”

“Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services (RRCS) is honored to have been selected for funding by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to support older adults in our community, in particular addressing those social determents of health: food and nutrition security and social connectedness. In collaboration with our community partners, we strive to better understand the core health issues facing older adults – to help minimize the risk of chronic disease, and improve lives,” said Jim Lagraffe, Executive Director, Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services. “We are grateful to Congresswoman Spanberger for her support and leadership in bringing these much needed services to our community.”

In April 2022, Spanberger joined a bipartisan letter urging an increase in investments to the CDC’s Social Determinants Accelerator program. She signed a similar letter last year, which led to increased funding in the fiscal year 2022 Consolidate Appropriations package — which was signed into law.

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