Mars Grant Grows Battle Creek Food Access Fund by $500,000

The Battle Creek Community Foundation has received a $500,000 contribution from the Mars Snacking Foundation Better Community Fund to expand long-term support for food access and basic-needs programs across the Battle Creek area.

The gift is part of $1.7 million in grants awarded by the Mars Snacking Foundation to organizations serving Battle Creek and Calhoun County. The $500,000 contribution will strengthen the Equitable Well-Being and Food Access Fund, a permanent endowment established to support food access, personal-care necessities, and community resilience initiatives.

About the Equitable Well-Being and Food Access Fund

The fund was created to help residents obtain healthy food, hygiene products, clothing, and other household essentials. The effort is guided by the Social Drivers of Health framework and focuses on addressing conditions that influence health, well-being, and quality of life.

The gift will be invested as a permanent endowment, allowing the foundation to increase annual grantmaking in the area by about $20,000 while preserving the original contribution for future generations.

Food Insecurity in Calhoun County

Food insecurity rates in Calhoun County remain higher than state and national averages. Many households also face challenges paying for necessities such as housing, transportation, food, and health care.

Access to nutritious food and essential household necessities plays a critical role in health, educational success, financial stability, and overall quality of life, said Elizabeth Schultheiss, Battle Creek Community Foundation executive vice president. This fund is about more than addressing immediate needs, it is about building a more resilient community where all residents have the opportunity to thrive.

How the Fund Will Help

Grants from the fund may support:

• Emergency food assistance

• Fresh-food distribution

• Mobile markets

• Senior nutrition programs

• Hygiene assistance

• Outreach efforts

• Other projects designed to improve access to food and essential resources

Mars Snacking Foundation Commitment

At Mars, we believe stronger communities are built through partnership, local leadership, and long-term investment, said Anne Vela-Wagner, executive director of the Mars Snacking Foundation. The Mars Snacking Foundation is proud to support the Battle Creek Community Foundation efforts to strengthen equitable well-being and food access in the region through sustainable, community-centered solutions that help families and communities thrive.

Additional Grants Support Regional Organizations

The Mars Snacking Foundation also awarded:

• $910,000 to United Way of South Central Michigan

• $200,000 to South Michigan Food Bank

These grants bring total investments aimed at food insecurity and basic-needs support to $1.6 million.

In a separate grant, the foundation provided $120,000 to Battle Creek Unlimited to expand capacity at the START Kitchen and Cafe at the Battle Creek Innovation Hub. This investment is intended to support entrepreneurs and community development over the long term.

A Collaborative Community Response

Battle Creek Community Foundation leaders emphasize that the endowment is intended to complement broader community efforts addressing food insecurity and basic needs.

No one organization can address these challenges alone, said Mary Muliett, Battle Creek Community Foundation president and CEO. This fund represents an important long-term investment in equitable well-being and food access, and it is only one part of the broader community response needed to support families across our region. We are grateful for partners throughout the community, including organizations like United Way of South Central Michigan and South Michigan Food Bank, whose work alongside many others helps strengthen the network of support available to residents every day.

Encouraging Additional Support

Battle Creek Community Foundation officials hope the contribution encourages additional support for the Equitable Well-Being and Food Access Fund from residents, businesses, and philanthropic partners seeking to expand access to food and other necessities throughout the region.

The permanent endowment structure means that every additional contribution will continue generating support for the community indefinitely, creating a lasting legacy of care for Battle Creek and Calhoun County residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Equitable Well-Being and Food Access Fund?

A: It is a permanent endowment established by the Battle Creek Community Foundation to support food access, personal-care necessities, and community resilience initiatives in the Battle Creek area.

Q: How much did Mars contribute to Battle Creek organizations?

A: The Mars Snacking Foundation awarded a total of $1.7 million to organizations serving Battle Creek and Calhoun County, including $500,000 to the Battle Creek Community Foundation, $910,000 to United Way of South Central Michigan, $200,000 to South Michigan Food Bank, and $120,000 to Battle Creek Unlimited.

Q: How can I support the Equitable Well-Being and Food Access Fund?

A: Residents, businesses, and philanthropic partners can contribute to the fund through the Battle Creek Community Foundation. Contact the foundation directly or visit their website to learn more about making a donation to this permanent endowment.