Flaget Memorial Hospital Awards Grants to Two Local Nonprofits

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (Jan. 29, 2024) – Flaget Memorial Hospital has awarded $28,500 in grant funding to Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest and St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Ministries to improve the well-being and health equity of the Nelson County area. The funding will be used for the 2024 calendar year.

“Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest and St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Ministries both play a critical role in educating our community members on healthier diet habits,” said Jennifer Nolan, president, Flaget Memorial Hospital. “We take pride in supporting their endeavors and eagerly anticipate the ongoing success of their missions through this grant funding.”

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest received $18,500 to support its efforts toward healthy food education, sustainable food production and its edible garden. The efforts will focus on Nelson County students.

"We are proud to partner with Flaget Memorial Hospital to improve the health and well-being of Nelson County residents through engagement in our Edible Garden," said Renee Frith, director of Horticulture and Sustainable Landscapes at Bernheim. "Flaget Memorial Hospital is bolstering our partnership with the Nelson County Ag Collab and expanding the fruitful work we're doing alongside high school students. We will also bring an additional 600 Nelson County school children to engage in hands-on learning in the Edible Garden and inspire them to grow their own food at home!"

St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Ministries was awarded $10,000 to provide a pantry with nutritious food and cooking classes for low-income individuals in Nelson County.

“Our food pantries serve over 1,000 of our Nelson County neighbors each month,” said Chris Hovan, executive director, St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Ministries. “We are grateful for this gift that allows us to purchase nutritious food to stock our shelves.”

Across Kentucky, CHI Saint Joseph Health awarded more than $355,000 through the grant program, which was open to nonprofit organizations that address the following priorities – substance use disorders, mental health and mental disorders, and weight status, physical activity and nutrition – through projects planned for the next calendar year. The priorities were identified in Flaget Memorial Hospital’s most recent community health needs assessment, which is conducted every three years to help the hospitals and community partners identify and address priority health and social needs faced by residents and the region. 

This opportunity was part of the CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants program. CHI Saint Joseph Health and Flaget Memorial Hospital are part of CommonSpirit Health, created in 2019 when Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health came together to create a national health system.

About CHI Saint Joseph Health

CHI Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in CHI Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services toward a goal of building a healthier future for all. CHI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

About Flaget Memorial Hospital

Flaget Memorial Hospital, part of CHI Saint Joseph Health, is a 52-bed facility located in Bardstown, Kentucky. Established in 1951 by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, the facility serves residents of Nelson, Hardin, Marion, Washington, Spencer, Bullitt and LaRue counties. The facility is also home to Nelson County’s first full-service cancer center and is nationally recognized for orthopedic and surgical care, as well as inpatient satisfaction.

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