NEW ULM — Seven New Ulm nonprofit and local government organizations are the newest recipients of Neighborhood Health Connection grants from Allina Health, according to a press release from Allina Health.

Out of 68 nonprofits and organizations chosen in Minnesota and Wisconsin, seven from New Ulm received grants that will support on-going activities that promote social connections through healthy eating and physical activity among adults in the community.

According to the press release, the grants, ranging from $300 to $10,000, are part of Neighborhood Health Connection, a community program developed by Allina Health to improve the health of communities.

The 68 selected programs were chosen through a competitive application process that was open to community nonprofits and local government organizations who wanted to start or strengthen a program.

“Year after year we’re pleasantly surprised with the level of interest in making communities healthier,” said Ruth Olkon, manager of Community Health Improvement for Allina Health, in the press release. “The ideas presented were very creative and we received over 170 applications throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin.”

The seven New Ulm nonprofits and organizations that received grants are:

• City of New Ulm Park and Recreation for Rec on the Go, a mobile recreation program that brings activities to neighborhood parks or locations. Activities and equipment are set up primarily for youth and teens, but are open to everyone. Healthy snacks are also provided for youth 18 and under.

• Highland Homes for its in-house community program where tenants will participate in a monthly healthy lunch and also engage in 24 weeks of stretching exercises. Participants are elderly or are disabled.

• Jefferson Elementary for upcoming out-of-work setting activities for staff that includes yoga at each session, combined with conscious breathing, mindfulness and self-care practices. The sessions will be held in parks, gardens or yoga studios.

• MRCI for its partnership with The Wellness Collective to provide disabled individuals with education on making healthy choices in movement and nutrition.

• New Ulm Community Garden at the Putting Greens for a partnership between clients of Bridge on Center and New Ulm Community Gardeners. The partnership will have participants tend plots for the Emergency Food Shelf in New Ulm.

• Real Life Cooperative and its program for residents who will participate in guided movement and relaxation exercises and social activities including meal preparation.

• Volunteers of America Bright Days at New Ulm Adult Day Services for an upcoming healthy cooking class where seniors can learn to prepare produce from local gardeners.

Gage Cureton can be emailed at gcureton@nujournal.com.