Feeding Matters, an Arizona-based nonprofit pioneering advancements in the system of care for pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), received a $40,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities.

This contribution will support a new initiative for the organization, “Toward Healing: A Transformational Trauma-Informed Model to Support Families Experiencing the Impacts of PFD.” The organization plans to use the money for trauma-informed initiatives, equipping families with essential resources and raising awareness within high-risk populations.

PFD affects more than 1 in 37 children under the age of 5 in the U.S. annually, leading to agonizing feeding experiences, refusal to eat, malnutrition and developmental delays. Feeding Matters’ ongoing work has revealed a significant lack of public awareness about the disorder and the emotional impact it can have on families, often producing trauma that takes years to unravel.

The proposed trauma-informed model addresses this critical gap by integrating medical education and emotional support, transforming the experience of families to enable and empower them as they seek the best care for their children. The grant will elevate Feeding Matters’ existing suite of family support programming by significantly transforming these areas with a trauma-informed lens.

“This grant is crucial in our ongoing efforts to address the often-overlooked trauma experienced by families dealing with PFD,” Jaclyn Pederson, Feeding Matters CEO, shared in a press release. “With this funding, we aim to make significant strides in transforming the many lives affected by PFD through the launch of a comprehensive trauma-informed model, addressing both the medical and mental health aspects, offering hope and care.”

Visit feedingmatters.org.

Visit https://thunderbirdscharities.org/ to learn more about Thunderbirds Charities, which was formed in 1986.