The “Starting Out Right” program has brought together a group of diverse partners to work together to create an environment that makes healthy eating and active living the norm rather than the exception in Mitchell and Yancey Counties. The organization recently received a grant from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and the Janirve Legacy Fund to help support a variety of community partners and activities which will address the issues of childhood obesity in a positive and comprehensive manner. The grant is funded through the Foundation for Mitchell County, Yancey Foundation, and Clyde and Mildred Wright Endowment Fund. Partners in the grant include Mitchell-Yancey Partnership for Children, Graham Children’s Health Services / Healthy Yancey, Toe River Health District-Mitchell/Yancey County Health Departments, Intermountain Children’s Services (Head Start) and the Dig-In Community Garden. The Community Foundation is a nonprofit serving 18 counties in Western North Carolina and strives to inspires philanthropy and mobilizes resources to enrich lives and local communities. For more information go to our website at wkyk.com or wtoe.com.