Avedis Foundation has awarded a $173,600 grant to Community Market of Pottawatomie County (CMPC); the funding will help to strengthen food access for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
CMPC serves as a vital resource for residents facing economic hardship, providing food and connections to community resources. The grant will help expand the organization’s capacity to acquire, store, and distribute fresh produce, protein, and other healthy foods, while improving operational efficiency to meet growing service demand.
“Access to nutritious food is fundamental to building healthy families and healthy communities,” Avedis Foundation President and CEO Dr. Kathy Laster said. “Community Market not only provides immediate relief for those facing hunger, but also connects individuals with resources that promote long-term health and stability.”
She said Avedis is proud to partner with an organization that serves this community with such compassion, dignity, and excellence.
Food insecurity continues to affect thousands of families in Pottawatomie County. In 2025 alone, CMPC distributed more than 1.2-million pounds of fresh produce and responded to increased community needs during a temporary disruption in SNAP benefits by serving more than 8,300 individuals in just 34 days.
Along with food distribution, CMPC also offers nutrition education, wellness programming and referrals to community partners to help address the underlying causes of food insecurity. The organization has been recognized as a Feeding America Certified Healthy Pantry, demonstrating its commitment to providing nutritious food choices that support positive health outcomes.
“The Avedis Foundation continues to show its support and commitment to ending hunger,” CMPC CEO Daniel Matthews said. “We are proud to steward their gift in assisting the most vulnerable in our community.”
