The Foundation raised funds to purchase a bank of freezers in a convenience store in the Parramore district, a designated ‘food desert’. Food deserts are defined as urban neighborhoods and rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. Instead of supermarkets and grocery stores, these communities may have no food access or are served only by fast food restaurants and convenience stores that offer few healthy, affordable food options. The lack of access contributes to a poor diet and can lead to higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Parramore Kidz Zone has been chosen as one of the non-profits the Foundation will support for 2014/2015. One of the ‘zones’ is New Image Youth Center which has benefitted from a number of initiatives including free soccer clinics, donated clothing and shoes, visits from pro players to mentor, play and encourage school work and the donation of a Little Free Library. The latter was placed outside the youth center and the children monitor it, replacing books and keeping it tidy. Little Free Libraries work on a ‘book in, book out’ system and it has been a benefit for the surrounding community.

Grants have been awarded to several communities so far including Engelwood Neighborhood Center who were able to begin a start-up program for 4-6 year olds; Osceola YMCA who purchased full size goals for their club and Lockhart Middle School who purchased soccer jerseys, balls and other equipment to enable children from the low-income families to begin playing soccer.