ToRCH Be Well Leadership Board awards grants to two area organizations

The Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) Be Well Leadership Board recently awarded grant funding to SC Fuel LLC and Diatribe KC MO, Inc. for projects and equipment related to improving health for people who live in Pettis County. 

The ToRCH program is sponsored by the MO HealthNet Division, which manages the Missouri Medicaid program. ToRCH is a model of care that directs resources to rural communities committed to addressing health influencers such as safe housing, transportation and access to healthy foods that impact overall health.

Bothwell Regional Health Center is one of six hospital community hubs that participate in ToRCH. The ToRCH Be Well Leadership Board is made up of people from several organizations and sets the budget and project priorities.

Allison Brosch, Dean of Health Sciences at State Fair Community College and ToRCH Be Well board chair, said it’s well known that non-medical factors influence a person’s health.

“Improving access to healthy food, safe housing and more support resources improves health and wellness in our community,” she said. “Our ultimate goal with ToRCH is to improve the health of the Pettis County Medicaid population and reduce the number of avoidable emergency room visits and hospital admissions. This grant funding is helping area organizations create new programs that help reach those goals.” 

SC Fuel is based in Sedalia and sells a variety of nutrient dense, pre-portioned fresh meals. Owner Sandra Fisher said its project is to target eligible ToRCH recipients who have approved medical diagnoses for nutritional counseling and home-delivered meals. 

“Our goal is to assess their weekly nutritional and meal needs and offer healthier, balanced and higher-quality food that they may not otherwise have access to,” she said. “We have seen how our food helps people with medical issues improve their health, which can ultimately reduce the number of doctor and hospital visits and increase overall health and quality of life.”

SC Fuel received $42,000 to purchase a package and sealing machine and a commercial refrigerator to accommodate an estimated 500 meals per week for the project. Meals will be paid for by the ToRCH program. 

Diatribe KC MO is a nonprofit organization serving the west central Missouri region, including Pettis County. It provides support for people living with a diabetes diagnosis and provides other health care resources. 

Diatribe received $30,000 to expand public outreach and awareness, purchase diabetic medical supplies and provide financial support through its T&W Memorial Financial Aid Grant. The grant assists low-income, Medicaid and non-insured individuals with copays, non-covered medical services and access to necessary health care.

Samatha Davis, Diatribe treasurer, said the organization is grateful for the grant funding. 

“It’s just wonderful,” she said. “Our organization has grown to provide more resources as well as support for people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. With this funding, we can increase timely follow-up visits for Medicaid participants, reduce hypertension by better supporting chronic disease management through diabetes care and ensure consistent access to critical supplies, support and financial aid.”

Previous grant awardees include Pettis County Health Center, Pillars of Pettis County, Compass Health Network, Bothwell Regional Health Center and Pettis County Community Partnership. Community-based organizations interested in learning more about ToRCH grant funding should email torch@brhc.org.