Humana sponsors new mural at Fish & Loaves Food Pantry | News ... - Southgate News Herald

Humana sponsors new mural at Fish & Loaves Food Pantry | News ... - Southgate News Herald

A brand new mural was recently unveiled at Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry.

The mural, donated by Humana, Inc. was painted on a wall inside the pantry, 25670 North Line Road in Taylor. It was painted by Greg Luna.

Photos: Mural unveiled at Fish & Loaves Food Pantry

Luna is an elementary school teacher in Southgate, and a Melvindale resident. The mural, stretching 12 feet long and 6.5 feet high, is located near the pantry’s checkout counter. It depicts various recognizable local landmarks, including Taylor’s Gateway Bridge and the Detroit skyline.

Fish & Loaves was founded in 2008, the mural is an early celebration of the 10 year anniversary, set to be celebrated next year.

“We’re glad that this beautiful and meaningful mural is a part of our center in time for the holiday season, when we welcome so many community members in need,” says Mary Hollens, Executive Director of Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry. “We truly appreciate Humana’s support of our organization’s mission, as we share a commitment to increase awareness about the importance of community access to fresh, healthy food. And we thank Greg Luna for lending his talents to help enhance the welcoming environment at our facility.”

Humana officials said they paid for the mural as it aligns with other charitable commitments the company has made. It is striving to make America 20 percent healthier by 2020, and is working towards that goal through interventions and community partnerships that address some of the country’s most significant conditions and social determinants of health, including food insecurity.

“We’re delighted to support Fish & Loaves Community Health Pantry as part of our broader commitment to help improve community health by addressing food insecurity,” says Humana Michigan Market Manager Dana Lipinski, who also serves on the pantry’s board. “Our local Humana team members here in the Downriver area are proud to be part of the community and are involved with the pantry year-round as committed volunteers. We believe in doing our part to help remove barriers to food access, and to support those who seek to improve their well-being and lead healthier lives.”

Food insecurity, which refers to the lack of access to enough nutrient-rich food for a healthy, active life, has emerged as one of the biggest barriers to well-being in communities across the country. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than 14 percent of Michiganders are “food insecure” - meaning, without “consistent, dependable access to enough food for active, healthy living” - and the percentage of state residents experiencing “very low” food security is higher than the national average.

Fish & Loaves client-choice food pantry, which distributes 1.6 million pounds of food annually to families in need, serves several Downriver communities.

Since opening its doors nearly a decade ago, Fish & Loaves Community Health Pantry has assisted more than 13,000 local residents in seven communities: Allen Park, Brownstown Township, Dearborn Heights, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, and Woodhaven. We distribute over two million pounds of food annually.

For more information, please call 734-992-6284 or visit http://ift.tt/2CO3r4x.