Jana Marie Foundation Awarded $45,000 Through Giant’s Make a Difference Challenge

State College-based nonprofit organization the Jana Marie Foundation was recently awarded $45,000 through The Giant Company’s “Make a Difference Challenge.” 

With the grant, the foundation plans to create mobile wellness room that will be used to educate about mental health, provide a calming space and work to build community connections, according to a news release.

Jana Marie Foundation works to use dialogue and creative expression to spark conversations about the mental health of young people in their communities. The foundation also offers educational opportunities to inform parents and caregivers about mental health issues in young people.

“Our goal is to use funding received from the Make a Difference Challenge to create a mobile Wellness Room on Wheels,” Marisa Vicere, founder and president of Jana Marie Foundation, said in a statement. “This welcoming sprinter van will be equipped with healthy, shelf-stable snacks, hands-on craft activities, and mental health resource materials geared toward young people.

“Ultimately, we want to increase awareness about mental health warning signs and the resources available to individuals in rural areas of Pennsylvania.”

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Giant Company awarded a total of $500,000 to 20 nonprofits in Pennsylvania and Virginia as a part of its Make a Difference Challenge. The challenge was designed to honor the grocery store chain’s history of supporting non-profit organizations whose work promotes healthier people and a healthier planet.

“For the past 100 years, The Giant Company’s community partners have played a critical role in making a difference in local communities, and we strongly believe these partners will continue to create stronger, healthier communities for generations to come,” Jessica Groves, manager of community impact, said in a statement. “We are so excited to celebrate these organizations through the Make a Difference Challenge. To support their projects is truly an honor, and we cannot wait to see the positive impact these dollars will have as their dreams to help communities becomes a reality.”