Food and physical activity tools plus resources for child cares, schools, and you

Before we get going on food and activity resources, we want to share some important news that $1 million in urgent local funding is being directed to child care providers to cover the child care needs of essential personnel right now. You can read about the initiative here and see an interactive map of providers that are available to you. This investment is part of a much larger emergency fund put together by a local funding group that includes the United Way of Central Indiana, Lilly Endowment, Central Indiana Community Foundation, Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, and Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. Individual donors are also playing an important role in supporting the effort. You can help by going here.

We want to be sure you’re finding what you need as we all navigate these times. Let’s start with food…

Is my food safe right now? How can I be safe bringing food into my house and how much food do I really need to have on hand during this period of quarantine? Give this a read to learn more. You can also get answers to your questions today at 1:00 on Twitter. Join MomsRising (@MomsRising), the Center for Science in the Public Interest (@CSPI),  the Food Research and Action Center (@fractweets), and National WIC Association (@NatWICAssoc) These groups will engage to discuss how families can access food, what the pandemic means for students who rely on school meals, the safety of ordering in and breastfeeding during the pandemic, preparing your pantries for self-quarantine and shelter-in-place, and more.

WHEN: Friday, March 27, 2020, 1pm ET/10 am PT 
Where: On Twitter, using #FoodFri 
WHO: @CSPI, @MomsRising, @fractweets, @NatWICAssoc and YOU! 

While we’re all stuck at home, the weather is improving, and we have a little time on our hands, maybe it’s time to consider growing your garden. Our friends at Big Green have many tools to help you get started. You can involve your whole family and utilize Big Green’s educational tools. We all need to get our 5 fruits and vegetables every day; wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy them from our gardens? While we’re talking about 5-2-1-0, have you been tracking? Here’s a handy sheet for tracking your (and your kids’) 5-2-1-0 activities every day.

And for some physical activity…

More online tools are being created and shared through websites and social media every day for individuals and families at home. As we all aim to get that hour of physical activity every day, we’ve compiled a handful of resources for you to help.

Naptown Kids is created all kinds of simple exercises for kids to follow along. Check out their Instagram page to join in.

CATCH has created a terrific Google Classroom that you can join and access dozens of evidence-based health, nutrition, and physical activity resources. The class code is KWDS7CP. Click the plus sign (+) on the screen to join the classroom and enter the code.

Jump IN’s frequent partner Playworks has dynamite tools on its website, including games and other play-based physical activity. These are great for all ages and can provide terrific family-time fun.

The weather is improving… can we be outside? The short answer is yes, but keep at least 6 feet away from others, don’t touch things, and wash your hands when you come back inside. Here is more information from WFYI public media and learn more from the National Recreation and Park Association about park safety during this time. As the spring weather is starting to emerge and the daylight is lasting longer, outdoor activity is extremely accessible, and good for both body and soul.

Mini workout of the week: Blazer Fresh

We’re starting a new corner of our blog and newsletter, the mini workout of the week – two minutes to get your feet moving. This week, here are our pals at GoNoodle, featuring the Blazer Fresh guys. Enjoy!