Santa Barbara, CA—Vitamin Angels has announced a new unified effort to address the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable communities in the U.S. and abroad. Through theHealthy Futures Initiative, Vitamin Angels aims to raise$500,000to address the increased global demand for health services caused by the pandemic.

An announcement on the new initiative, which will continue through 2020, explains that, for communities that already lack access to essential health and nutrition services, the impact of COVID-19 can be devastating. Health systems are overwhelmed and food systems are disrupted due to the pandemic, and that is putting families who were already nutritionally vulnerable at an even greater risk for malnutrition.

"Our work has never been more important than right now," said Howard Schiffer, Vitamin Angels Founder & President, in a press release. "Our Healthy Futures Initiative will help us meet the increased demand for our nutrition interventions and ensure that nutritionally vulnerable populations receive access to the essential vitamins and minerals they need right now."

According to the release, funds raised for the initiative will be used to:
  • Expand Vitamin Angels' multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) program for pregnant women to help combat the effects of food insecurity for vulnerable women.
  • Expand Vitamin Angels' vitamin A supplementation program to fill gaps in coverage among communities in need.
  • Expand digital training and learning solutions to reach more service providers working in overwhelmed health systems.
Vitamin Angels said many of the organizations long-time corporate partners have already made financial commitments to the initiative, including DSM, Barlean's, and Purity Products.Lief Labsalso announced its support, “Due to the impact of this global health crisis, Lief Labs’ sponsorship and commitment to support the important efforts of Vitamin Angels is even more critical,” Adel Villalobos, CEO & Founder of Lief, said in a release from the company.  “We are extremely proud to join Vitamin Angels’Healthy Futures Initiative to help ensure that vulnerable populations heavily impacted by COVID-19 receive the essential nutrients they need to build the foundation for a healthy future.”

To join the initiative or learn more, gohere.
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