1. WALK WORTHINGTON Summer 2016

2. WHAT IS WALK WORTHINGTON? A program of the Worthington Resource Pantry (WRP)  WRP is a local choice pantry and the umbrella organization for Healthy Worthington initiatives  In FY 2015, WRP served more than 1,200 families and distributed more than 330,000 lbs of food Partners with the Worthington Library, the Worthington Parks and Rec Dept, the Worthington Historical Society, and Wesley Glen Retirement Community, among others.

3. WHY WALK WORTHINGTON? The goal of the program is to build community and public health  Deterrent to obesity, diabetes, and related health conditions.  Bring neighbors together for fun events and increase community health  Builds public safety

4. WHY WALK WORTHINGTON? Just a little bit of walking goes a long way! Study participants who traded time on the sofa for a total of 30 minutes of walking during the day reduced their risk of dying over a three-year period by 33 percent. For the participants with chronic kidney disease, the risk of dying was reduced by more than 40 percent, according to the findings, published today (April 30) in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Doesn’t even have to be a long walk – just moving a few minutes each hour is enough!

5. WHY WALK WORTHINGTON? Focus on Seniors  Higher than average population of 60+ adults  Ohio is number one in the Midwest for food insecurity for older adults  A recent study in the Journal of American Medical Association found that an ongoing walking program, in conjunction with light strength training and stretching, significantly decreased disability in the studied population of seniors between 70 and 89, none of whom previously had an active exercise regimen. http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/walking-exercise-helps-seniors- stay-mobile-independent-201405287173

6. WALK WORTHINGTON 2015 Healthcare talk-and-walks in collaboration with the Library Neighborhood walks with local guest speakers Yoga walks with local yoga instructor Community walks prior to weekly concert-on-the-green Community partner presentations

7. WALK WORTHINGTON 2015  “The leaders were fantastic!. Excellent routes, neighborhood choices, in depth educational material. It all was so good. I miss it!”  “i enjoyed the library walks to meet some new people briefly, seeing areas of worthington & just getting some exercise & the health talks were a surprise addition.”  “Nice talking to others on the walk.”  “That they were full of information and also included areas of Worthington I have never seen.”

8. WALK WORTHINGTON 2015

11. LESSONS LEARNED (1) Find community partners (2) Plug in to community events that are already happening and/or recruit community groups for specific events (3) Don’t try to do everything at once! (4) Keep the faith if you don’t see immediate success

12. WALK WORTHINGTON 2016 AmericaWalks Every Body Walk! grant  $1,000 for charity fundraising incentive scheme – for every mile walked, a dime is donated to WRP  $1,000 (actually $1,200 with tax) will be used for pedometers  $300 – informational brochures/advertising The grant has made a huge difference with building community interest, excitement, and buy-in – THANK YOU!!! Our goal is 250 participants and 10,000 miles!!

13. WALK WORTHINGTON 2016 Walking Events for 2016  Healthcare talk-and-walks with the Library – every Thursday at 5:30 pm in June, July, and August  Yoga Walks with local yoga instructor, Kerrianne Wolf  Partnership with Wesley Glen Retirement Community for mall walkers program – great program with awesome incentives!  Partnership with Worthington Historical Society for a couple historical walks  All group walks are around 1.5 miles and a strolling pace!

14. WALK WORTHINGTON CONTACT Joanna E. Saul Joanna.saul@gmail.com www.facebook.com/walkworthington Thanks to Worthington Resource Pantry, Gary Smith Classic, First Financial Bank, Worthington Parks and Recreation Dept, Worthington Historical Society, Worthington Libraries