FirstEnergy Foundation: 

Supporting a recipe for wellness 

This story originally appeared in the Fall 2023 edition of Promise magazine.

A community gem, the Summa Health Equity Center provides resources designed to eliminate health disparities and help area populations become well and stay well.

Supported by a generous grant from the FirstEnergy Foundation’s Investing with Purpose initiative, the Health Equity Center launched a series of cooking classes that teach the many benefits of growing, preparing and eating produce locally grown and harvested in season. Focused on enhancing the vitality, sustainability and diversity of local communities, FirstEnergy Foundation is a long-time supporter of Summa Health’s educational programs.

Named Cook Well, Eat Well, Live Well, the program provides a recipe for health and wellness in collaboration with SipSavorSoul and Let’s Grow Akron. Class participants learn how to shop at area farmers markets and cook with fresh ingredients. At the completion of each class, participants also receive bagged fresh food and supplies to recreate recipes at home.

Shown here is Chef Dani with SipSavorSoul. She teaches healthy cooking techniques at the Summa Health Equity Center’s Cook Well, Eat Well, Live Well classes.

“These classes are so important to many in our community and provide a meaningful opportunity for families to do a healthy activity – together,” said Isaac Baez, director of the Summa Health Equity Center. “Every day, we are rewarded with sincere smiles and gratitude for this program that is made possible by FirstEnergy Foundation.”

Baez noted that the program is so popular there is now a waitlist for upcoming classes.

To support the Summa Health Equity Center, please contact Summa Foundation at foundation@summahealth.org or 330.375.3159.