07/15/2026
Dear Community Partner,
The Russell County Health Coalition’s Healthy Bucks program empowers kids to make smart, nutritious choices about what foods they eat and where they come from! Since 2016, the Russell County Health Coalition has coordinated the Healthy Kids Bucks program in partnership with the Town of Lebanon Farmers Market. Any child aged 0-17 visiting the Market on Wednesdays during the summer can stop by the Health Coalition table to receive five Healthy Bucks they can use 1:1 with vendors to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a free tote bag, nutrition information, and healthy recipes prepared with produce available at the Market! At the end of the Market day, the farmers then exchange their collected Healthy Bucks with Health Coalition volunteers for cash. For the past several years, the Health Coalition has partnered with the Russell County Schools summer school programs to bus students to the Farmers Market most Wednesdays during the summer session to receive Healthy Bucks and learn about the Farmers Market. Last year, the Healthy Bucks program broke records, providing 1,744 local youth access to fresh fruits and vegetables and paying out over $8,422 to local farmers.
This year, our program has already provided Healthy Bucks to 1,423 local youth and paid out over $6,887 to local farmers! However, earlier in the year, we unfortunately experienced a significant loss in funding from previous sponsors, and our Coalition has had to fill the gap with reserve funds. To finish out the rest of the summer season, we will need help. We are humbly requesting contributions to sustain the Healthy Bucks program from community partners, like you. Any amount that your organization could pledge towards the program is greatly appreciated!
Your sponsorship will benefit over thousands of families and individuals in Russell and the surrounding counties who are reached through the Russell County Health Coalition's programs, many of which are disproportionately affected by risk factors, including chronic disease, limited access to healthy food and exercise, and a lack of community awareness of nutrition and physical activity education.
The Russell County Health Coalition is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Contributions can be made to the Russell County Health Coalition and mailed to PO Box 104, Lebanon, VA 24266, or online at https://donorbox.org/2022-membership-drive . Please reach out by phone or email with any questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dustin R. Keith
President, Russell County Health Coalition
[email protected]
(276) 202-9277
